Brookland Avenue

Catholic University of America by Bob Malesky

Please join the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association at their next meeting on Tuesday, July 20th at 7:00 PM. The meeting will take place in Margot Hall of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 3400 12th Street, NE (corner of 12th and Monroe Streets, NE).

The Special Guest for this meeting will be Robert Malesky. Mr. Malesky has lived in Brookland since 1970. He graduated from Catholic University and then worked for thirty years at National Public Radio where, among other things, he was the senior producer of Weekend Edition Sunday with Liane Hansen. Mr. Malesky is now a freelance writer and producer and has just completed a book entitled The Catholic University of America.

The Catholic University of America tells the story of CUA’s early founding and development into a world-renowned University. It is a fascinating history and one that is entwined in many ways with Brookland’s contemporaneous development as a neighborhood. Mr. Malesky will share stories from his book of those early years and will present a slide show of old photographs. Copies of his book will be available for purchase and a book-signing will follow.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

EYA Opens New Townhome Community: Chancellor’s Row at Brookland Metro Station

Washington, DC – This Saturday May 8, BUILDER Magazine’s 2009 “America’s Best Builder”, EYA, will celebrate the grand opening of its 7th new home community in Washington, DC at Chancellor’s Row.

Chancellor’s Row is a new townhome community located just four blocks from Brookland/CUA Metro station (three stops from Union Station on the red line). Situated on a beautiful 10-acre parcel of the St. Paul’s College, the new neighborhood will offer gorgeous views of century-old DC landmarks – all within walking distance to countless shops & restaurants, and the theater, fitness and cultural amenities of Trinity University and Catholic University.

New townhome designs at Chancellor’s Row complement the classic rowhome architecture DC is known for. Brick exteriors are accented by front porches, historic paint colors and cornice detailing. Inside, the homes will be built to the nation’s most comprehensive green building program – LEED for Homes. ENERGY STAR labeling of the homes also contributes to energy savings and a more comfortable indoor environment for homeowners.

New home buyers at Chancellor’s Row will enjoy such included features as rooftop terraces, garage parking, gourmet kitchens and expansive community open spaces. Home prices start at $469,900.

For more information go to EYA.com

When: Saturday May 8th 2010

Where:650-T Jackson Street NE

Time: 11am-6pm

CUA Junior Mike Provine on Wheel of Fortune (Photo by Carol Kaelson)

Mike Provine, a Catholic University of America Junior a contestant on Wheel of Fortune that taped in early January in showing tomorrow Monday Febuary 22nd at 7pm.

A viewing party will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Food Court of the Pryzbyla Center at CUA. Following the half-hour broadcast that begins at 7 p.m., Mike Provine will answer questions about his appearance on the popular game show.

To see how Mike did watch Wheel of Fortune tomorrow at 7pm. For more details on Mike’s game-show appearance, check out CUA Public Affairs.

Snow Ball Fight

Bored Inventive CUA Students are organizing a campus wide snow ball fight today at 2pm-5pm on CUA’s Law School lawn, this a good opportunity to alleivate some of that cabin fever from the last few days and blow off some steam.

View the official Facebook Fan Page for more information and to RSVP to the snow ball fight.

When:
Today Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 2pm-5pm

Where:
CUA Law School Lawn

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is celebrating its 50th year Jubilee celebration.

On November 20, 2009, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will mark the 50th Anniversary of its dedication.

In keeping with the tradition of the Church, the Jubilee is celebrated for an entire year before the date, in this case, of the Basilica’s 50th Anniversary.

A Solemn Opening of the Jubilee Year 2008-2009 occurred on Sunday, November 16, 2008 with the celebration of Mass in the Great Upper Church by Rev. Msgr. Walter R. Rossi, Basilica Rector.

In celebration of its Jubilee Year, the Basilica is hosting Pilgrimage Saturdays on the third Saturday of each month beginning February 2009 and ending in November 2009. On the third Saturday of each month, from 3pm-4pm, the faithful will be guided on “pilgrimage” to select chapels and oratories of the Basilica. Participants will join in the recitation of litanies, devotions, and songs in honor of Our Lady while “journeying” to each pilgrimage site.

From September 2009 to November 2009, an Anniversary Exhibit featuring photographs artifacts and memorabilia of the history and construction of the Basilica will be displayed in Memorial Hall.

Upcoming Celebration Dates

• Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 5pm with the Plenary Mass of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Saturday, November 21 at 3pm, with the final “Pilgrimage Saturday”
• Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 12 noon closing celebration in the Great Upper Church

More information about the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 50 year celebration.

Come Trick or Treat at CUA

Halloween at Catholic University! Candy, face painting, games, and more!

Come and have a safe and fun Halloween on CUA’s campus.

Date: Thursday, October 29th 2009

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Curley Court, CUA

CUA Halloween Map

If you plan on attending, please contact the Office of Campus Ministry (202)-319-5575 to RSVP.

Tickets for DC native, humorist, media gadfly, and contributor to Wait Wait .. Don’t Tell me Mo Rocca’s November 16th performance at CUA will be sold 10/19/2009 at the Pryzbyla Center from 10-2pm and from 5-7pm. Read more about Mo Rocca’s CUA performance.

Ticket Prices

Tickets can be purchased online from the CUA Program Board Store.

Contact information
Pryzbyla Center, Room 125
620 Michigan Ave NE
Washington, DC 20064
Main Office Line: (202) 319-5777
Executive Office Line: (202) 319-6006
Email: cua-programboard@cua.edu

Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 5pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm

Welcome to Brookland

The Washington Post’s recent article about Abdo proposed CUA development on Monroe Street in Brookland/Edgewood is a bit lacking. The post article doesn’t really go to much into the Planned Unit Development (PUD) or any the major contentions of some residents about negative affects for Abdo’s plan. One issue that was raised by residents of Lawrence Street about the height of the proposed buildings on the south side of Monroe being a concern.

The Washington City Paper also has a number of posts about the development. Including one post quoting Abdo’s Vice President of Project Development Toby Millman saying “It’s kind of like a combo between the Torpedo Factory and Eastern Market”. While the new renderings and “Arts Walk” look nice Mr Millman’s quote is a bit of a stretch.

In the post article Jim Abdo president and CEO of Abdo is quoted with saying the “I found that many people are leaving their own neighborhood for goods and services” and “There isn’t a sense of place”.

While its true that the Brookland area is lacking in some amenities, we do have some great local gems like Brookland Hardware, the best hardware store in the city IMHO. Mr Adbo does have a point about local amenities, however not every neighborhood needs to look exactly the same. Mr Abdo’s statement that “there isn’t a sense of place” is a bit disingenuous at best. Boo on you Jim Adbo.

Whether or not residents are for, against, or somewhere in between development all of us can agree Brookland has a very distinctive “sense of place”. It fact many who moved to Brookland (including this author) did so because it was an oasis in the middle of the city with a small town feel, and love the fact that its not like other parts of the city. Development in Brookland is on its way for better or worse and while folks can bemoan the coming change, residents should instead continue to do what they can to make sure development is the best that it can be. Residents need to work with developers to make sure that both current and future residents will be able to enjoy this “progress” coming to the neighborhood.

The October 5th CUA PUD hearing was recorded and is available online at the DC Office of Zoning for those who wish to view the complete hearing.

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.

Brookland Area Hydrant

While the cause of the fire is still under investation the problem became that the fire fighters did not have enough water pressure to put out the fire. Since the July 29th fire in the Palisades home of arts patron Peggy Cooper Cafritz folks have been concerned about the safety of the fire hydrants in Washington DC neighborhoods.

Both WUSA 9 and the DCist have a list of neighborhoods needing “special attention.”

• Mayfair Parkside, NE
• Poplar Point Pumping Station, SE
• Fort Station Reservoirs, SE
• Williamsburg Lane, NW
• Adams Morgan North of Columbia Rd, NW
• Taylor Street, NE
• Randle Circle, SE
• Queens Chapel/ South Dakota, NE
• International Drive, NW
• East Portion of Saint Elizabeth Campus, SE
• Howard University Law School, NW
• FEMS Training Facility, SE
• Mount Pleasant Area (North)
• Mount Pleasant Area (South)
• East and West Potomac Park
• National Zoo
• Metrobus Bladensburg Division
• Georgetown University
• George Washington University, Mount Vernon Campus
• Galluadet University
• Edmund Burke School
• Hillwood Museum
• Levine School of Music
• Washington International School
• Maret School
• Catholic University
• Trinity College
• 1300 Block of Upshur Street, NW
• Wyoming Ave & 23rd St NW
• 39TH & T St NW
• 29TH & P St NW
• Massachusetts Ave, Between Dupont Circle and Sheridan Circle NW
• 2600 Block of Myrtle Ave NE

The two closets areas to Brookland are Catholic University and Trinity College both which contain a large population in a small area. The reasons that neighborhoods may be on the list are “small water mains, hydrant configuration, topography, access, and the possibility of private hydrants not regulated by WASA.” Hopefully these can be validated and any issues resolved before a major catastrophe will happen.

The DC Council has a scheduled an oversight hearing on September 19th to discuss the issue further.