This information and registering for the emergency texts can be completed at www.72hours. dc.gov. Contact Kim McCall, Emergency Planning Specialist, District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency at www. hsema.dc.gov, (202) 481-3015, (202) 369-6888 cell, or by email kim.mccall@dc.gov

For those with an interest in better preparing high-rise buildings, the Department of Homeland Security has offered several tips which can be read at DHA website.

Building managers, property owners, and building security personnel should get as much training as possible with regards to the natural and man-made threats likely to occur in the city. For information on this training, please contact the HSEMA training department, point of contact is Plesant Mann at 202-481-3052 or visit the website at www.hsema.dc.gov

Institute of Peace Online Certificate Program

For community members who serve our community, the Institute of Peace (our new FB neighbor) offers a number of free self study, certificate courses online including “Negotiation and Conflict Management” and “Conflict Analysis”.

The Education and Training Center (ETC) of the United States Institute of Peace develops both online and onsite courses on subjects related to conflict management and peace building. These courses are designed for students in graduate and undergraduate programs, as well as professionals in diplomacy, the military, law enforcement, academics, civil society, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations (IOs), both in the United States and around the world.

The material for these online courses is developed to complement their onsite programs which are highly interactive and draw heavily upon the professional experiences of their participants. Online courses may be taken on their own, or as an introduction or follow-up to the Institute’s onsite programs.

The “CONFLICT ANALYSIS” course is the first in a series that will eventually include courses in negotiation, mediation and other activities related to conflict management—all available online.

The course is structured to bring numerous perspectives on the subject of conflict analysis, as well as on the conflict in Kosovo and the genocide in Rwanda. These perspectives come in the form of audio clips culled from over twenty hours of interviews conducted with Institute trainers, other noted specialists, grassroots organizers, military professionals, and individuals who were personally affected by the conflicts. Effective action is invariably the product of insightful analysis.

The course is approximately 65 pages in length. Throughout the course, you will be prompted to test your understanding of terms and concepts. When the course is complete, you will have the opportunity to take a certificate exam. If you pass the exam, you will earn our Certificate of Course Completion in Conflict Analysis. Summer school anyone?

In times of little or no rainfall, and especially during the hot summer months, our leafy friends need help in staying alive. Trees, especially those that have been in the ground less than three years, require 25 gallons of water – comparable to 1.5 inches of rainfall per week to grow healthy and strong.

Watering trees on and surrounding your property is a small investment that yields a high return. Healthy trees provide cooling shade, help lower utility bills, increase property values, make neighborhoods more livable, and are less likely to fall on your house or car during a storm.

To keep you in the know on when to water your trees, Casey Trees, the penultimate local foundation that educates, fosters and cultivates the District urban canopy, has created a Tree Watering Guide. Every Monday, they issue a watering recommendation. [Dry, Normal or Wet - and the associated watering recommendation - Time to Water, Additional Watering Optional or No Additional Watering Needed respectively.] It is posted on their website, www.caseytrees.org You can also friend them on Facebook and Twitter feed.

Additionally, for persons who register and make the “25 to Stay Alive” pledge, Casey Trees will mail a complimentary rain gauge to monitor rainfall totals at home. If you receive less than 1.5 inches of rainfall, it is time to water. Casey is also continuing their Ooze Tube program. Residents can pick up Ooze Tubes free-of-charge from their downtown office during normal business hours.

Mike Brace's caricature of Conan O'Brien

Mike Brace: Moved to West End for a graphics job at the GW Medical Center. He liked the location and the neighborhood, so has remained for 30 plus years. While he enjoyed medical art, he had a greater love for cartooning. After leaving GW, he continued working on his own for a number of years, until he got involved with the DC Conspiracy, a group of DC area cartoonists. He says, “I was excited to participate in the upcoming exhibit because it showcases the local independent publications the group has been working on.”

Andrew Cohen: Moved to DC in 2005, and shortly thereafter started law school at George Washington. In 2006, he moved to Foggy Bottom, initially, he says, so that he wouldn’t have to “schlep my books so much.” Cohen says, “When I graduated, I just stayed put. I liked the neighborhood and the stores, the proximity to the libraries and metros and parks, and the fact that I could basically walk to any place I might want to go within the city.”

“I got into comics when I was about ten, but fell out of them for a period. I kept drawing, though, and enjoying art. And I still loved drawing cartoons – I drew for the school newspaper, and for friends and myself. In college, I got back into comics and discovered that the college library actually
had quite a good collection of graphic novels and historical stuff about comics. I loved reading the histories and the old newspaper strips, and discovering all the cartoonists who were out there, plugging away in the world today. I really dug the variety of stories and styles that was available.

The show at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library was sort of born of that fascination. We’re part of a group – the D.C. Conspiracy – and it’s made up of D.C. area cartoonists. A lot of people don’t realize the comic talent hidden away in the city, and so we look for ways to celebrate comics whenever we can. We contacted the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library with some ideas for a show, and the library was incredibly open. So we decided to do something that would really show off all the work being done in the District’s comic book scene. D.C. doesn’t have the artistic reputation of some cities, and that’s not entirely fair. Hopefully, this show will give people an appreciation for some of the creative spirits that are brewing in the District.

We’ll have original art hanging on the walls, so that people can see the cartooning up close. Hopefully, that will jazz people up to read some comics, and so there will be a comic book reading area. We’ll have spinning racks and book shelves filled with comics that city and suburb folks have put out. There will be literary and literate comics, comics about war and sci-fi, surrealist stuff, children’s stuff… and chairs, so that visitors can grab some ‘toons and enjoy. If all goes well, that will have people thinking that they, too, can make a comic, and so we’re putting on two workshops – July 31, and August 22 – to teach people how to do just that. Each one will be led by a D.C. Conspirator who will instruct folks how to write, draw and put together their very own comic.”

D.C. Conspiracy July 12 – August 27, 2010

(Open during MLK Library hours)
Exhibit of Original Comic Art and All-ages workshops on how to make your own comics: July 31 and Aug 22
Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G Street, NW, 2nd floor, West lobby

For more information about D.C. Conspirators visit www.dcconspiracy.com

An exhibit of Cret’s architectural plans and drawings of the OAS (aka Pan American Union Building) in the Beaux- Arts architectural style (from Cret’s alma mater, École des Beaux-Arts) are on display at the ART MUSUEM of THE AMERICAS (located at 18th and Virginia Ave). A quick walk around the corner and a photo ID will gain access to the high ceilinged, magnificent interior with the many design details which reflect the arts and culture of Mexico and South America visit well-worth making. Public access with a photo ID is weekdays 9 to 5 pm through July 2. The OAS building is located at the corner of 17th and Constitution Ave NW. ~

Dear Neighbors,
The Foggy Bottom Association is starting a program in our neighborhood for the protection of our homes, our property, our children, and our community. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the program and to invite you to our first meeting which will be held at the conclusion of the FBA Annual Meeting June 29 at St. Stephen’s Martyr Church, Parish Hall.

The program we are organizing is part of the nationwide Neighborhood Watch program. The goal is not only to prevent crime, but also to enhance the partnerships and cooperation within our community.

Our goal is to have as many people as possible actively participate in order to have the most effective response, and allow the community to come together as a whole. There is room for everyone in Neighborhood Watch. Participants of all ages will receive instruction on how they can participate in the improvement of our neighborhood.

Neighborhood Watch is designed to create a safer environment for you and your property. It has the enthusiastic support of the Metropolitan Police Department as well as other members of the Government of the District of Columbia. This program is strictly on a volunteer basis and will be at no-expense to you. You only have opportunities to gain.

For your efforts, you and our fellow neighbors will be rewarded with a safer, cleaner, better prepared, and more secure neighborhood in which to live.

I hope to see you at the upcoming meeting on June 29 at Parish Hall in St. Stephen’s on 25th Street adjacent to Pennsylvania Avenue. If you have any questions or are unable to attend the meeting, but are still interested in participating you can contact me at foggybottomvp@gmail.com or at (202) 503-9183.

Sincerely yours,
Lev Trubkovich

Vice-President, Foggy Bottom Association
955 26th Street NW #709 Washington, DC 20037
(202) 503-9183

Over the past five years, with the help of supporters and volunteers we have installed flower barrels in the historic district, enhanced many of the tree boxes along K Street, planted trees, brushes, and flowers along the 26th Street Park, and enhanced the triangle across from the 7-11. If you would like to volunteer, help us water plants, or make a financial donation, please call Ken Durham on 202-338-2471, send an email to kdurham@ gmail.com or send a check to K Durham, 909 26th Street NW and make it out to the Foggy Bottom Association. All donations are tax deductible.

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

Dorothea Lange was hired by the War Relocation Authority to photograph the Japanese-American internment. Her powerful images, including this picture of dust storm at Manzanar taken in 1942, were not widely seen until long after the war.

The tour is free. However, space on the tour is limited so reservations are required. Priority will be given to FBA members; non-members will be included as space permits. Those interested should contact Jackie Lemire at 337-2167 or jglemire@aol.com. Please provide your name and telephone number.

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

There was an attempted sexual assault on a woman on the Holly Trail in Rock Creek Park in Upper Northwest 2 pm, Saturday April 30. This is a popular trail for Chevy Chase, Silver Spring folks who walk with dogs, bicycle and run and includes many women running alone, particularly the long distance runners which was the case of the woman attacked. She was wrestled to the ground but was able to grab the knife, bit and cut the attacker’s hands.

The attacker is described as an Hispanic male with dark skin, curly hair, 5’6”, in his late 20s with a slender build wearing a dark blue polo shirt, blue jeans, a black ball cap with a white emblem, riding a black mountain bike. He most likely will show up in another area of the park. Anyone with information is asked to call the US Park Police TIPLINE: (202) 610-8737

Arts in Foggy Bottom has 15 new pieces on view and now there are several ways to tour the exhibit. Let your fingers do (part of) the walking. One exciting new feature of this exhibit is “Guide by Cell” that turns cell phones into interactive audio guides. As the prevalence of many people to carrying cell phones has greatly increased, this is an easy way to connect our visitors to this exciting outdoor sculpture exhibit in Historic Foggy Bottom.

You may recognize the Welcome Greeting recorded on “Guide by Cell” by Scott Simon, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition. Each artist has recorded a few comments about his or her individual piece. Shirley Koller, curator and FB resident, has also recorded comments about the exhibit.

To Preview the “Guide by Cell” Tour: Dial (202) 595-1187

Enter sculpture number, followed by the “#” key. For curators’ comments, press 16, followed by the “#” key To leave a comment, press 0 followed by the “#” key

To take a self-guided tour, exhibit brochures providing the location and information about each sculpture are placed at each site. The “Guide by Cell” instructions are printed in the brochure, as well as posted at each site. When using the “Guide by Cell,” visitors have the option of staying connected through the entire tour or hanging up and calling back later.

We are thrilled to have this exhibit back in Foggy Bottom and extend our heartfelt thanks to Curator Shirley Koller and Co-Directors Jackie Lemire, Jill Nevius and Mary Kay Shaw for the countless hours of hard work invested to plan and pull this magnificent exhibit together for our community.

Five varieties of Rwandan beans are served here, including Virunga, from the mountain regions, and Akagera, from the wildlife region of Rwanda. They find their way into such drinks as the Café Cubano (espresso pulled through with raw sugar) and the Iced Coffee Sangria (a rousing concoction of coffee that has been steeped with orange slices then chilled).

As with the coffee, curiosity and impulse led me to purchase a dome shaped Roti Boy. Its crisp sweet outside and light, but not-overly-sweet, inside paired with the coffee made for a perfect combination.

Bourbon Coffee is an international brand of specialty coffee and the first retail brand to originate from Africa. Before the genocide in Rwanda, coffee was the nation’s major export. Among Bourbon’s missions is one to revive the industry and pay farmers a better wage through a “cropto- cup” business model. With its DC proximity to IFC, the EU Office, World Bank, and so many “green” and sustainability-minded folks, let’s get the word out: drink great coffee and do good.

2101 L St. NW (opposite Stevens School playground)
Mon-Fri: 6:30am–7:00pm
Sat-Sun: 7:00am–6:00pm

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.