Over the past several months I have testified at the District Council’s oversight hearing for DCPL, the 2011 DCPL Budget Hearing, and the May 26th DCPL Board of Trustees meeting; and I wanted to report on the challenges for the West End Library, as well as to ask for your help.

It is now apparent that the 2011 operating budget for our libraries has been substantially reduced and that capital funding to improve the library branches has been eliminated for next year and most probably for years to come.

As a result, the likelihood of the Council approving funding for any remodel to the public buildings on Square 37 (site of the library) and Square 50 (the fire station) are non-existent. Therefore, public approval of a surplus land disposition resolution and endorsement of the selected developer (Eastbanc) becomes important because this will start the development process which will lead to a new library and fire station in our community.

On June 9th at 6:00 p.m., at the Library, the Deputy Mayor will hold a public meeting to hear from you as to whether or not our community is ready to move forward with a development by declaring the unused air over and around the library and fire station, and the entire police station site, is to be classified as surplus land. This will ensure that this property can then be redeveloped with new mixed use facilities.

On June 16th at 3:00 p.m., at the Wilson Building, the District Council will conduct a hearing in which you may affirm that the community is ready to move forward with the above referenced surplus land disposition resolution; that there has been a full, open, and public process leading up to the selection of a developer; and that the community through the various civic organizations (ANC, FBA, WECA, and WELF) has endorsed the developer selected by the District. I recommend you stress that time is of the essence because a new library, new fire station, affordable housing fitting two different income profiles is a community priority.

Re: The Public Meeting will be held at the West End Library on June 9th,
and at the Wilson Building on June 16th, 2010

Please mark your calendar and plan to participate in these Public Meetings

Join your fellow FBA members and discover the most spectacular view of Washington from the Potomac River as the ship passes the Kennedy Center, Memorial Bridge, the Lincoln Memorial, etc. There is a bar on board and you can purchase soft drinks, water, beer, cocktails, etc.

The cruise is free to members of The Foggy Bottom Association which has purchased tickets for its membership. However, there are a limited number of tickets so reservations are required. Those interested should contact Jackie Lemire at 337-2167 or jglemire@aol.com Please provide your name and telephone number.

Note: Lisa Farrell is a new candidate for the position of Executive Board Member. She has spent her career as a federal official, consultant and small business owner. She has resided in the District for 34 years and has been a homeowner in the historic district for 21 years. She is particularly interested in preserving the character and quality of life in the historic district and the special issues affecting single family homeowners.

Mary Kay Shaw, Jill Nevius (center) and Jackie Lemire welcome attendees to the opening tour

Winner of the Mayor’s Arts Award for Innovation in the Arts, Arts in Foggy Bottom has again created a vivid exhibit featuring the talents of seven new and eight returning Washington artists – several of whom were on hand to discuss their remarkable
sculptures during Saturday’s tour. Koller and artist Sam Noto led tours that stopped at each of the fifteen residencies where a sculpture was installed. Sculptors in this year’s exhibit include Richard Binder, Alan Binstock, Mike Brining, Jeff Chyatte, Chas Colburn, Patti Porter Firestone, Nancy Frankel, Seth Goldstein & Paula Stone, Don Herman, Mariah Josephy, Craig Kraft, Philippe Mougne, Sam Noto and Mike Shaffer.

Attendees were eager to learn not just about each sculpture, but also about how Koller handpicked each piece and determined their location in the neighborhood. During the tour, Koller expressed how exciting it was to work with each artist in choosing the most dynamic pieces.

This exhibit is an incredible way to showcase Washington’s artists and the power of art in a community which generates conversation and engages residents in the area… ~ Shirley Koller

The artists themselves were also pleased to interact with the crowd and share their stories behind each sculpture. Retired engineers and husband-and-wife team Seth Goldstein and Paula Stone created Vinesque, made entirely out of Oriental Bittersweet vines. They were led to this type of design after becoming certified Weed Warriors, enabling them to combine their love of nature with sculpting. Jeff Chyatte shared how his sculpture Genesis represents connections in society and the desire to build a stronger foundation for future generations.

In addition to increased participation from residents, The River Inn joined the exhibit. This marks the first time that sculptures are on display on a corporate property. Two sculptures from Philippe Mougne (Helios) and Garrett Strang (Incision) have been installed in front of the Inn on 25th Street.

The celebration continued after the tour with a reception at the Watergate Gallery and Frame Design where additional works from the artists are on display inside the gallery for the duration of the exhibit as well.

The exhibit continues until October 23 and artist-led tours will be offered on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. The next tour is June 12 and will lead by Paula Stone (Vinesque). Brochures may be picked up at each sculpture site for a self-guided tour anytime and include a corresponding map.

Enhancing the artsgoing experience is Guide by Cell, a feature being offered for the first time where visitors can dial 202.595.1187 from their cell phone and hear each artist describe their piece.

For more information on the exhibit, artists and upcoming events visit the Arts in Foggy Bottom page here on this website. ~ FBN

Call 965-3896 for more information. (Rain date: Sunday, April 25, 10 am –12 pm) Suggested tools to bring: gloves, rakes, brooms, shovels.

Rewards

• Meeting and gathering with your neighbors
• Beautifying your neighborhood park
• Enjoying healthful exercise
• On-site refreshments

EPA@40 Celebration

The EPA itself is hosting a EPA@40 event, which will feature a variety of interactive, family-friendly exhibits that highlight the work of the Agency, reflect on the past four decades of environmental accomplishments and look forward to the next 40 years of promoting healthier families and cleaner communities.

Among the exhibits are an environmental crime scene forensics demonstration, air quality monitors, cutting edge automotive technology, geiger counters, climate change habitat loss exhibits, video interviews for the EPA Website, mobile environmental Web application tutorials, environmental photography exhibits, environmental films, an interactive kids booth about environmental hazards, backyard composting demonstrations, a Chesapeake Bay water model, and live mascots teaching kids about recycling and protecting nature and much more.

In addition to the exhibits related to environmental protection, there will be a performance and speaker stage, packed with events all day Saturday and Sunday.

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson is scheduled to appear at the EPA Earth Day tent on Saturday between 12pm-2pm
Location: Between 4th-7th St., National Mall, Washington, DC
Date: April 24, 2010 10am to 6 pm, April 25th, 10am-5pm

6th National Sustainable Design Expo

The 6th National Sustainable Design Expo will display new sustainable or green technologies. More than 40 college teams and other exhibitors from across the country will show innovative solutions for an environmentally sustainable future.

Location: National Mall between Constitution and Independence Avenues and 3rd and 4th Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C.
Date: Saturday, April 24 – 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, April 25 – 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Contact: Mary Wigginton, 202-343-9861 wigginton.mary@epa.gov

Brochures providing photos of sculptures on display with a corresponding location map of the neighborhood may be picked up at each sculpture site for a self-guided tour. New to this year’s exhibit is Guide By Cell, a self-guided audio tour with each artist speaking on their work, accessible by mobile phone. The exhibition is curated by Foggy Bottom resident Shirley Koller, and all artists are from the metropolitan Washington area.

Educational programs and lectures will be announced during the span of the exhibit and special tours for groups will be available upon request. For more information on events, participating artists, and to download a brochure that will be available here soon on this website.

Arts in Foggy Bottom is a project of the Foggy Bottom Association. The intent of the Foggy Bottom Sculpture Exhibit is to serve as a catalyst for connecting the residential, business, educational and arts communities of Foggy Bottom as well as all District of Columbia residents and visitors. The project is being supported in part by a generous grant from the Foggy Bottom Association Defense and Improvement Corporation.

The largest regional event of its kind, the Cleanup provides a transforming experience that engages citizens and community leaders and generates momentum for change.

Since 1989, more than 50,000 volunteers have teamed with 375 partner organizations of the Alice Ferguson Foundation to pull over 3 million tons of trash from the watershed’s streams, rivers and bays. Last year´s haul of over 290 tons included more than 27 tons of recyclables, 41,122 Plastic bags, 2,095 tires, 17 bicycles, 16 shopping carts, 9 Metal and plastic barrels, 5 TVs and 5 refrigerators!

The 2009 Cleanup took place at over 500 sites in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia – all part of the lands, or watershed, that drain into the Potomac with locations that included fields, forests, parking lots and other ‘inland’ sites, where the trash can be removed before it enters creeks and other waterways.

From the list of FB/GT locations and coordinates that follow, choose a spot and help the Potomac!

Cleanup Sites in District of Columbia County, DC

Fletcher’s Boat House Washington, DC
Ms. Deanna Tricarico Potomac Conservancy Visit web site for more information: www.potomac.org/site/ Volunteers are needed for this site. Maximum number of volunteers: 100. Maximum parking capacity: 100. Restrooms are available. Special issues at this site: Volunteers are welcome to bring canoes or kayaks…

Rock Creek Park Piney Branch Washington, DC
Doug Barker Volunteers are needed for this site. Maximum number of volunteers: 20. Maximum parking capacity: 12. Restrooms are not available. Special issues at this site: We’ll be working along the rocky and somewhat slippery creek bed and the sides of the creek bed.

Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial Washington, DC
Ms. Deanna Tricarico Potomac Conservancy Visit web site for more information: www.potomac.org/site/ Volunteers are needed for this site. Maximum number of volunteers: 125. Maximum parking capacity: 100. Restrooms are available.

Washington Canoe Club Georgetown, DC
Ms. Caroline C Brosius Washington Canoe Club Web site: www.washingtoncanoeclub.org Volunteers are needed for this site. Maximum number of volunteers: 75. Maximum parking capacity: metered on street or paid garage parking only. Restrooms are available. Special issues at this site: accessible from the Crescent trail by bike; we have some canoes we could use to go along the shore itself and pick up trash; we have some wheel barrows that could be used; the club has restrooms available; the club is on NPS land; clean up occurs along Potomac, C&O Canal, Crescent Trail and environs.

Directions to Fletcher’s Boat House
Fletcher’s Boat House is located 2 miles North of Key Bridge and 1 mile South of Chain Bridge, at the intersection of Reservoir Road and Canal Road. You will know you have reached the entrance to Fletcher’s when you see the Abner Cloud House.

Directions to Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is accessible only from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The entrance to the parking lot is located just north of the Roosevelt Bridge. Southbound traffic: take Theodore Roosevelt Bridge to Constitution Ave. Take a right on 23rd St. and cross Memorial Bridge. Once on the bridge, bear right to return to the G.W. Parkway. The closest Metro Station is Rosslyn.

Directions to Washington Canoe Club
3700 K Street NW Washington DC Using Metro Orange line: From Foggy Bottom: appox. 20 minute walk. Take “K” street to head of Crescent trail path. From Rosslyn: walk across Key Bridge, take stairs down to C&O canal then down to “K” street. From VA: Cross Key Bridge, Turn right on “M” street, right on Wisconsin Ave NW, right on “K” street to end of road. From MD/DC: Canal Road to “M” street, right on Wisconsin Ave. NW, right on “K” street go to end of road. ~ FBN

Please contact Jessie Caola Director of Membership Sales at 202-457-5070 or email Jessie @ Jessie.caola@fairmont.com

It is important to note that, unlike previous attempts to study tearing down the Whitehurst, the most recent proposal did not originate directly from the District government. This time, the Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG) National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board is vetting the process through a study published in a report that indicates, “The purpose of this project is to prepare an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to examine improvements to the Georgetown area transportation network and waterfront access, and to provide safe and efficient mobility to and through the Georgetown area pertaining to the removal of the Whitehurst
Freeway.”

It is equally important to note that COG members that created this document are appointed by the Mayor of Washington DC and the Governors of Maryland and Virginia. So although this does not necessarily represent immediate plans for the District, it does indicate that officials in our government or the surrounding governments are pushing to study tearing down the Whitehurst. It seems unlikely that Virginia or Maryland would benefit from tearing down the Whitehurst (in fact many of their taxpayers working in the district would be further inconvenienced by traffic). And, no matter whose delegates authored this section in the report, the fact remains that an EIS is the first necessary step towards removing the freeway.

There are many reasons that neighbors have historically opposed tearing down the Whitehurst.

Some of those reasons include:

Needless to say, COG’s report is a surprise. During the District’s last mayoral election, candidate Fenty pledged to our community that the Whitehurst Freeway would not come down if he were to be elected Mayor. It seems that this promise will be kept as the COG transportation report plans pertain to the upcoming 4 years. However, none of this is meant to indicate that the Whitehurst is safe moving forward. There is no way to know what this study will mean for the future of the freeway. It is discouraging to note that such effort and considerable tax monies would be allocated to give a green light to remove the Whitehurst.

Whatever the future may hold for the Whitehurst, the Foggy Bottom Association will continue to monitor any developments and as always, we dedicate ourselves to ensuring that the Whitehurst is secure.

Warm regards,
Asher Corson, President, Foggy Bottom Association
lashercorson@gmail.com

The Capitol Building was shrouded in snow after a blizzard dumped more than a foot of snow across the mid-Atlantic region on Saturday.

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, servicemembers’ names were buried 16 rows deep, while higher up snow had settled into the letters so they stood out against the black background. The wreaths of the World War II Memorial looked like giant white-frosted doughnuts. The big attraction at the Lincoln Memorial was not the nation’s 16th president, but rather a snowman with eyes of copper pennies bearing Lincoln’s likeness.

A group of four sophomores from George Washington University took pictures nearby.

“I’m from California. This is my first snow ever,” said Megan McDonough, 19. “My parents called and asked if I had enough food.”

The snow fell too quickly for crews to keep up, and officials begged residents to stay home. The hope was everyone could return to work on Monday.

The usually traffic-snarled roads were mostly barren, save for some snow plows, fire trucks, ambulances and a few SUVs. The Capital Beltway, always filled with cars, was empty at times.

Carolyn Matuska loved the quiet during her morning run along Washington’s National Mall.

“Oh, it’s spectacular out,” she said. “It’s so beautiful. The temperature’s perfect, it’s quiet, there’s nobody out, it’s a beautiful day.”

The ugly side of the snow led to thousands of wrecks. Still, only two people had died — a father-and-son team who were killed trying to help someone stuck on a highway in Virginia.

The snow comes less than two months after a Dec. 19 storm dumped more than 16 inches on Washington. According to the National Weather Service, Washington has received more than a foot of snow only 13 times since 1870.

The heaviest on record was 28 inches in January 1922. The biggest snowfall for the Washington-Baltimore area is believed to have been in 1772, before official records were kept, when as much as 3 feet fell, which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson penned in their diaries.

Buried in the five-year “Regional Transportation Improvement Program” for Metro Washington is DDOT Agency Project IDED083C entitled Whitehurst Freeway EIS. This time, the teardown has been revivified as a way “to examine improvements to the Georgetown area transportation network and waterfront access, and to provide safe and efficient mobility to and through the Georgetown area, pertaining to the removal of the Whitehurst Freeway. (Guess all those other neighborhoods are just ghost towns to DDOT.)

Even scarier, DDOT has earmarked $2 million per year for fiscal years 2012 and 2013—a total of $4 million of federal and local taxpayer monies—to fund an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that would support and justify the Whitehurst’s removal. See the ghoulish reference on page 78 of the full proposal: [http:// www.mwcog.org/clrp/projects/ tip/fy0914ti /FY_2009-2014_ TIP-COMPLETE.pdf]

Tired of having to repeatedly fight off these ghosts of bad decisions past? Contact your ANC commissioners and At-Large Councilmembers—Kwame Brown, Michael Brown, Phil Mendelson, and David Catania (202/724-8000)—as well as Mayor Fenty (who pronounced the original 2005 teardown proposal “a dumb idea” in his 2006 campaign), and tell them this zombie should never see the light of day. Remove its line item from the TIP and the DDOT budget as was done in 2007. The FBN will be keeping you updated. We have our garlic at the ready. ~ FBN

Membership

Join the West End Library Friends in their support of the numerous services and activities of the West End Library. Annual dues, which go to support the West End branch, are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Additional contributions beyond the dues amount also go to support the branch.

Please make your check payable to the “West End Library Friends” and mail it along with your contact information* to:

The West End Library Friends
c/o West End Library
24th and L Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20037

*Include your name, mailing address, telephone number and email address. If you provide an email address, we will use it as well to send periodic information about the “WEL Friends” and the WE Library.

From: “Elizabeth A. Noel”
Date: November 4, 2009 4:06:02 PM EST
Subject: News from the People’s Counsel of the District of Columbia

Hello Friends and Associates,
On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, I was advised by the D.C. Office of Boards and Commissions, that Mayor Adrian Fenty has declined to reappoint me as People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia.
For those of you with whom I have worked with, along side, (/nights, week-ends, holidays) /etc. …on behalf of the utility consumers of the District of Columbia, know this: IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE!

I am quite sure there are many more lawyers who make lots more money, have great access to “power,” are better known, etc., ……………..but, it is hard to imagine a lawyer who has enjoyed the work of the Office, the professional relationships, and the constant contact with real people– the consumers ……any more than I have.

As expected, I have informed my staff of this turn of events. I have requested that the Office continue to stay true to the Agency’s statutory mandate and to representing the interests of the D.C. consumers who are clients.

THANK YOU!
Betty Noel
People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia
(1991-2009)

She suggests that as further action with regard to Watergate Post Office, that interested persons submit ‘formal statements’ for inclusion in the public record in Docket No. N2009-1 which can be done through the www.prc.gov homepage. (see info below)

Ms.Kennedy indicated, “the Commission currently is holding hearings in Docket No. N2009-1 to consider a Postal Service proposal that may result in the closing of numerous postal retail facilities nationwide. In addition to the impacts such closures would have on customers, the economy, and the postal network, the Commission is carefully examining the criteria and processes being used by the Postal Service to evaluate these offices and to implement any closures. While I cannot provide you with the assurance that your facility will not be closed by the Postal Service, I hope you find this information useful.”

So, FB/WE residents, we are grateful for Ms. Kennedy’s guidance and suggest that you file a formal statement regarding accessibility, parking, and services with the Postal Regulatory Commission into the record developed for this case.

You can read more about this initiative at the PRC web site, www.prc.gov, where you will find it listed on the homepage under the docket number N2009-1.

You can add your comments to the public record in that docket online via email, prc-dockets@ prc.gov, or you may submit written statements via regular mail to: The Honorable Ruth Goldway, Chairman, Postal Regulatory Commission, 901 New York Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268. Whichever method you choose be sure to reference Docket No. N2009-1 in your correspondence.

The following was written by former FBA president, Ron Cocome: This usually never happens anymore, but this time there has been an official advance community notice. We have been alerted that the US Postal Service has decided NOT to renew its Watergate lease that expires in roughly two years. If we want to keep Foggy Bottom’s only post office, we are going to have to fight for it.

With this unwelcome closing, it would seem that the USPS has taken up the worst of the U.S. business models. That is to cut costs and expenses as its sole objective. The obvious problem with this model is that you can—and may well—cut costs to zero by simply shutting down.

With this unwelcome closing, it would seem that the USPS has taken up the worst of the U.S. business models. That is to cut costs and expenses as its sole objective. The obvious problem with this model is that you can—and may well—cut costs to zero by simply shutting down.

But, this model produces a dangerous chain of events: the more you cut your service, the more your customers are driven to competitors and so on and so forth.

The USPS seems to be following the same path as much of America’s businesses, cut from the service end of business. Shut outlets, lay off service personnel. Let the public wait in longer lines, slow the delivery service, cut the number of mail pick-ups, etc. And, worse, do so in order to keep raising salaries and bonuses on the top, rewarding self-dealing administrators for bad customer service.

The result is that our service is cut but not our fees. Service employees are demoralized while, according to media accounts, last year the Postmaster General made a higher salary, including bonuses, than the President of the United States.

I have been told that as another cost cutting technique, the USPS intends to close all sub-stations, such as ours at the Watergate. This is mindless bureaucracy at work as substations are by no means equal. The Watergate Post Office serves a large, heavily populated business, diplomatic, university and residential neighborhood. I daresay it does far more business and serves far more people than many full service post offices.

If we are to save our Watergate Post Office we need many voices to speak out. Please write a short note demanding renewal of the lease and that Watergate Post Office be kept operational, as this is a crucially important amenity in our community.

Send these letters to:

Hon. John E. Potter, Postmaster General and CEO – USPS
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20260

CC: Carolyn Lewis Gallagher, Chairwoman – USPS
Same address as above.

CC: Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Attn: Cartwright Moore, Senior Caseworker,
529 14th Street, NW #900, Washington, DC 20045

CC: Asher Corson, FBA President
955 26th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037