Looks like word of our neighborhood’s ongoing battle over the proposed Brookland’s Finest restaurant has spread far enough that WJLA ABC 7 News came out to cover it today. Here is a link to the story. Let’s hope for future news stories about the great things going on in Brookland instead of our divisions.
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We are happy to report that Licking Creek Bend Farm, a sustainable farm located in Pennsylvania will be returning to supply Brookland with their amazing selection of fresh produce. Every year we swoon for their juicy peaches, heirloom tomatoes, nectarines and corn. In addition to the amazing produce, there are others vendors selling breads, home-made granola, pastries and more. I encourage all Brooklanders to come out and support our farmers market! The market sets up every Tuesday from 4:00m – 7:00pm under the Drew Bridge (Michigan St.) north of the Brookland Metro. Here are some photos from last year’s farmer’s market.
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On Saturday, we posted the agenda for May’s ANC 5B meeting, which was held last night. The agenda listed three items: the Metropolitan Police Department, DC Public Works, and the Office of People’s Council. So, we thought it would be a pretty uneventful meeting. Little did we know that ANC 5B-04 Commissioner Steptoe would introduce a resolution, and the Commission would take a vote, to protest the Brookland’s Finest liquor license by the end of the meeting. From what we understand, the resolution was procedurally sound. Commissioners are allowed to introduce resolutions under “new business”, which is always an agenda item (though not listed on the meeting’s notice – as detailed agendas are not required on those). For those of you interested, here is a video of the portion of the meeting regarding the Brookland’s Finest liquor license.
The vote resulted on a 3 to 1 decision. Commissioners Steptoe, Jones, and Higgins voted to protest and Commissioner Bridge voted against the protest. Many readers have reached out to us asking how they can support the Brookland’s Finest team and make this restaurant a reality. A member of the community created a Yahoo! Group in the support of the restaurant – you can join here. Really though, to be profitable, a restaurant like this needs a liquor license. The Brookland’s Finest team has applied to DC’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) for a ”Tavern” license. At this point, since the ANC Commissioners have voted already, you may write to ABRA directly expressing your support. ABRA will take the ANC 5B vote result into consideration, but they also consider other factors. ABRA can be contacted at: 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 400S Washington, DC 20009. Email: abra@dc.gov Phone: (202) 442-4423.
You may want to let your ANC Commissioner know how you feel about their vote. Most of Brookland is divided into 5 Single Member Districts (SMDs), each represented by a Commissioner. As a whole, it is called ANC 5B. The ANC 5B Commissioners are as follows and the mailing address of ANC 5B is: ANC 5B Office, 1322 Irving Street, NE Washington DC 20017. Here are their email addresses and a map of ANC 5B so you can figure out who is your ANC Commissioner.
(5B-01) Shirley Rivens-Smith – 5b01@anc.dc.gov
(5B-02) Ursula Higgins – 5b02@anc.dc.gov
(5B-03) Tiffany Bridge – 5b03@anc.dc.goc
(5B-04) Carolyn C. Steptoe – 5b04@anc.dc.gov
(5B-05) Jenese L. Jones – 5b05@anc.dc.gov
ANC 5B Boundries 2013
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Anyone familiar with the playground at the Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy off Irving St. between 13th and 14th knows that the old playground was rusted and in pretty bad condition, to the point that neighbors were making small fixes on the equipment themselves. The great news is that the old playground has been removed and replaced by a new fantastic one!
This was a true community/school partnership, and as of last Saturday the playground is open to the public. A lot of work went into making the new playground and garden a reality, many thanks go to the following:
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Umkhathi Theatre Works – Photo Courtesy of Dance Place
From May 28 – June 2, Dance Africa will be back. Amanda Blythe of the Marketing Department at Dance Place told us a little bit about this popular annual event:
Now in its 26th year, Dance Africa, DC is roaring down 8th St NE again! A full week of events celebrating the music, dance, and culture of the African Diaspora, Dance Africa, DC 2013 will feature master classes, an outdoor African Marketplace, and some of the best African dance companies in DC with special guests Umkhathi Theatre Works from Zimbabwe! We want the whole neighborhood to join us out in the summer sunshine for this event!
You can buy tickets, view related videos and download the events calendar here. Here is a rundown of the events and info:
Master Classes - Register on line
African Marketplace - June 2- 3 from noon to sunset with arts and crafts, food and free performances:
Saturday, June 1
12:00-12:15pm: Dance Place Step Team
12:30-1:15pm: People, Objects, Play
1:30-2:00pm: Ethiokal
3:30-4:15pm: Balloon Art & Stilt-Walking
6:30-7:00pm: DC Casineros
7:00-7:30pm: Greater Little Zion Church Choir
Sunday, June 2:
12:00-12:15pm: Dance Place Step Team
12:30-1:15pm: Hula Hooping
1:30-2:00pm: Tam Tam Mandigue
3:30-4:15pm: Balloon Art & Stilt-Walking
6:30-7:00pm: Line Dancing with Lorenzo Evans
7:00-7:30pm: Greater Little Zion Church Choir
Indoor Performances
Saturday, June 1
2pm – Ezibu Muntu & Umkhathi Theatre Works
5pm – Coyaba Dance Theater’s Village Celebration
8pm – Coyaba Dance Theater & Umkhathi Theatre Works
Sunday, June 2
2pm- KanKouran West African Dance Company & Umkhathi Theatre Works
5pm – Coyaba Dance Theater’s Village Celebration
8pm- Farafina Kan & Umkhathi Theater Works
Tickets:
2pm Matinee Performances
$20 Advance Sales (ends midnight on Sunday, May 26)
$25 General Admission
$10 Children (17 & under)
5pm Village Celebration
$5 General Admission
Family Series – Free for children 12 & under
8pm Evening
$25 Advance Sales (ends midnight on Sunday, May 26)
$30 General Admission
$10 Children (17 & under)
Dance Place is located at 3225 8th St NE
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Logo Courtesy Of Langdon Dog Park Association
Brookland dog lovers are lucky to have Langdon Dog Park so close to our neighborhood. But while it is relatively new and one of the largest dog parks in DC, users complain that they often find the park to be empty. This sort of negates one of the benefits of bringing your pooch to the park, the social interaction that well adjusted dogs need. So, some neighbors came with a solution; if there was a designated time that neighbors take their dogs to the park, it would help to better utilize the park. So, the Langdon Doggie Happy Hour was born. The Happy Hour will be every Wednesday from 6:00 – 7:00 pm at Langdon Dog Park. The park’s entrance is the unpaved road off 20th St NE between Franklin and Hamlin Streets.
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