Snowy Eckington and holiday wishes!

Here are some photos from around the house displaying our winter wonderland...

The first shot came during our blizzard when I noticed our new neighbors attempting to move in to their house...I guess they had the U-Haul reserved and couldn't make a change.

The remainder are from Sunday post-melting and shoveling on the part of my housemate and I.

I journey out to spend the holidays with my family on Tuesday and will be back the following week.

Happy Holidays and Best wishes to you and your family in the new year!

In the zone...

For much of the past week I have been in the government zone or the interview zone. Monday and Tuesday of this week saw me temping at MCC, a government agency where, as a temp, I did not have internet access. On Wednesday and Thursday, I had interviews so I was focused on nothing else but doing the best job I could on those. Of course, upon completion of those interviews, I could have done better in some areas but ultimately, it's up to a higher authority about where I go from here with respect to those two opportunities. When the next time comes around, I will go in even more prepared.

Ok, well so what's going on in Eckington? The civic association had their meeting on Monday night and, unfortunately, by the time I got home from the temp position was just too exhausted to go to the meeting. I did speak with the President, Mr. McGinn the other night and he gave me an overview of what I missed. 1) Garry Clark of North Capitol Main Street discussed the launch and progress of the new 'Safe Sentinels' team in the area...read more here. and 2) The ECA voted on a resolution about whether to support or oppose the LAYC's use of the Cook School (30 P St NW)...the resolution to oppose won by 2 votes, of course there were only something like 25 people there. (I will amend this information once I get a copy of the minutes.) I had intended to vote in support of the project so at least my vote wasn't missed.

The broader issue at stake with the Cook School redevelopment is the fact that local communities are constantly being pitted against often beneficial social programs that would like to relocate to a given neighborhood. There is clearly a need in the NE and this area certainly doesn't have a glut of these programs like Ward 8, for instance, but yet the local civic associations and ANC voted against it across the board. What seems to be the issue for folks is how this process was handled with the project being a fait accompli...having secured approval of the Mayor's office and the necessary city boards and commissions before there was any consultation with the community.

I stand ready to be corrected in my judgments and am open to letting these initial impressions evolve but this is what I see at present.

Great bazaars and more holiday events to come...

Spent the snowy and slushy Saturday trudging from McKinley and home and home to St' George's Episcopal...

At McKinley, I met a young 9 year old entrepreneur selling freshly squeezed lemonade and cupcakes and learned from her mother that she is an aspiring doctor/chef...these goodies were a nice pick me up after my early morning dash to Arlington to procure a blender I saw on CraigsList. Here I also managed to meet a woman who had some preserves and relishes...cannot resist the homemade stuff and bought a jar of pear preserves. The woman noted to me that the pears came from family trees down in Mississippi...music to my ears. She also was selling pralines and bought one of those too...may just have to go have that for desert now...

At St. George's I gorged myself on a Pork BBQ Sandwich, cole slaw, potato salad, corn bread, and cookies. I also enjoyed some great conversation as well. There I picked up a sweet potato pie...and the ECW ladies were working on me to buy more...I think they could read 'sucker for baked goods' all over my face because they were working it hard. I was lucky enough to walk away with just a slice of cake, some cookies and the pie.

Anyway, so I had a pretty fruitful Saturday and of course there are plenty more holiday festivities around the corner:

Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. will be hosting the following holiday events

Ward 5 Holiday Open House
Thursday, December 17, 2009
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
The John A. Wilson Building
First Floor, Main Hall
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Enjoy an array of delectable edibles generously provided by local DC eateries!
Featuring holiday carols sung by the DC Boys Choir, and much, much more!
Please bring an unwrapped toy or gift card for a child or teen.

Ward 5 Breakfast With Santa
Saturday, December 19, 2009
8 am to 10 am
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Avenue, NE
Come enjoy breakfast, fun and games, a magic show, and much, much more!

Please mark your calendars to participate in Councilmember Thomas' holiday events!
To RSVP to either or both events, or for more information, please contact 202. 724. 7773 or ward5holiday @ gmail.com .

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 four additional committees: Workforc e Development and the Environment, Aging and Community Affairs, Housing and Workforce Development, and Public Services and Consumer Affairs.

More details on St. George's Bazaar

ST. GEORGES EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & CAFE

Saturday, December 5, 2009

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
2nd and U Streets, NW

FREE GIVEAWAYS EVERY HOUR!

PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS TO WIN A FLAT SCREEN TV OR IPOD TOUCH!

ALSO FEATURING:
LOCAL ART, JEWELRY, CLOTHING AND CRAFT VENDORS, CHILDREN'S BOOKS SALE, CUSTOM MADE GIFT BASKETS, BAKED GOODS, SILENT AUCTION, AND THE RETURN OF THE DELECTABLE DINNER CAFE!

YOU CAN ALSO PLACE YOUR ORDERS OR PURCHASE BEAUTIFUL POINSETTIA PLANTS!

Opportunities to support our local institutions this holiday season...

That's what I intend to do in the coming weeks. Below, I have listed two events slated for next weekend where you can support the Eckington neighborhood and its vital community institutions.

Holiday Bazaar at McKinley Tech

Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 10am - 4pm

The high school is located at 151 T Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002

If you are interested in vending...it is $25 per table/space and you can contact Crystal Brockington for more information. She can be reached at 301-237-3193 or email her.

All proceeds will go to support McKinley's graduating class of 2010.

Nearby at St. George's Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Church Women will be hosting a

Christmas Bazaar and Cafe

Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 10am - 4pm.

The church is located at the corner of 2nd and U Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20001

(Enter from the U St. side)

So there you go...a local church and a school providing you with someplace close to home to spend your money. Don't trouble yourself with all the traffic and crowds by driving out to Tyson's Corner or Bethesda, or places further afield to do your Christmas/holiday shopping...support one of our local churches or the local high school.

I know I will hit up both McKinley and St. George's as I begin my Christmas gift hunt next weekend.

Moving East...

According to this recent article at UrbanTurf, a DC real estate blog, buyers are now looking to Eckington among others as they get priced out of Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan and the Dupont Circle areas. However, as one of the comments notes, this article actually may be a little behind the curve as it appears that values in LeDroit Park and Bloomingdale are already marching upward. There are a bunch of great properties around here that are great family homes now and could use some sprucing up around the edges. I am sure others could use complete refurbishment inside. Anyway, if I had the income and was looking to stay in this area for the long term, this is probably one of the areas of the city I would look to invest in along with Congress Heights and Anacostia. Whether you're walking, biking, using public transit or driving, Eckington is easily one of the best situated neighborhoods in the city.

Slow news cycle...

Nothing really to report from Eckington these days. I may have missed something as I have been so wrapped up in my job search this week. I will try to catch up this weekend and I will have a report from the Eckington Civic Association meeting after the holiday as their meeting will be on the 4th.

In the meantime, I also have emails in to Mrs. Mary Farmer-Allen, my ANC Commissioner and Mrs. Pinkney who is the recording secretary for ANC5C to confirm the meeting date for next month and to obtain minutes from last night's meeting and for the meetings in September and October. Trying to bring myself up to speed on the local issues and will be sure to let you know what I learn...