The views expressed on this blog are of the individual posting and are not official positions of the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association (MVSNA)
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My First ANC Meeting…and My Impressions


I was born in DC, I live in DC, I work in DC. Maybe it is time for me to get involved in what is going on in DC.
 With that in mind, I decided the first step would be to attend my local ANC. After all, the District website says ANCs are the body of government with the closest official ties to the people in a neighborhood. Why not go see how I was being represented?
Here is what I came away with:
1)      Robert’s Rules of Order might need to be required reading
2)      Just about anyone could do a better job as a commissioner than half of the people up there (there were 4 Commissioners, you do the math)
The Commission appears to be split down the middle between members who seem to accept that change is coming, and it needs to be directed in a positive manner…and members who are trying to hold back the inevitable tide of a transforming neighborhood.
Now you can find many quotes online about ANC2C such as “No wonder progress in Shaw has been slow with idiots like her running the community” and “This woman absolutely must be voted out”…but I’m not going to pile on. In fact, I’d rather look at the bright side.
A little research reveals the Commission, as hard as it is to believe after actually attending a meeting, is better now than it has been in the past. Change has affected ANC2C, and it will continue to evolve, hopefully giving the Commission more legitimacy and us a more powerful voice.
I may not be represented as I care for right now, but Change is happening. And Hope is already here waiting for it.

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2010 Census Needs You!


The 2010 Census is hiring for  part-time temporary field workers in their communities in the District. These positions are critical for our community in Mount Vernon Square because for every Census form not returned, our District loses an estimated $3,000 per resident each year for public services(hospitals, schools, etc.) until the next Census (10 years from now!).  These jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community. If you know someone who is looking, please pass this information along. Pay starts at $20.00 per hour.

Apply today by calling 1-866-861-2010 to locate your local Census office in DC .

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searching for place to live!


Hi!   I was referred to this website by a current resident of Mount Vernon Square.  I am searching for a place to rent beginning in August of 2010.  I currently live in Arlington and the girl that I would be moving with lives in Reston.  We are moving to D.C. around August and are open to any assistance in finding a place to rent.  If you are anyone you know is looking to sublet/rent a two or three bedroom, please let me know and we can discuss details.  (We are open to other areas in D.C. as well).  Thanks for your time and consideration!

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February Events at MCC-DC


Here are some of the things going on at MCC-DC (474 Ridge Street NW) in February. As always our Sunday services are at 9am and 11am. We continue to celebrate the arrival of our new Senior Pastor, Rev. Dwayne Johnson. His Sunday messages have been inspiring and thought provoking. Please join us for either of these events or any Sunday. All are welcome!

Ash Wednesday Services

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 17. Join us for Ash Wednesday services at 12 Noon and 7:00pm.

Annual Black History Month Concert

MCC-DC's fantastic music ministry celebrates Black History Month in music with our annual concert "Feel Like Goin' On"

Sunday, February 28 - 3:00pm. Free, no tickets required.

For additional information on these events or other happenings at the church, please visit www.mccdc.com.

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Is the 5th & N Market ever open?


As someone relatively new to the area, can anyone tell me the deal with the store at 5th & N?  There are a number of times I've wanted to go there to do some light shopping, but it feels like in the last few months they've only been open maybe a couple of days.

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Parking Space for Sale


My company is developing the 451-453 Ridge St lot.  We look to complete the project in March/April and will sell 2 2br/2ba condominiums, both about 1050 square feet, with outdoor space, and parking.  If you're interested in getting a sneak preview before we take them to the market, please email me at Lindsay@ReishmanRealEstate.com.

We also have one extra parking space in the alley, which we share with the 400 block of N St.  If you're interested in purchasing the parking space, it is separately deeded and we are ready to sell it!  Price is negotiable.

Lindsay

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2010: Membership, Board & Elections


As we enter 2010, I hope you will consider renewing your membership in the Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood Association.  Currently, dues are set at $20 for individuals / $40 for households.  You can also choose to give a larger or smaller amount.  Funding for MVSNA is critical.  Membership dues pay for production of our newsletter, including paper and toner.  It also supports neighborhood events, such as the picnic in Mount Vernon Square, and helps provide supplies for clean-ups when needed.  Finally, there are routine administrative expenses, such as our incorporation fees.  Contributions are not tax deductable as MVSNA is not a registered 501(c)(3) with the IRS.  We are in the process of completing that paperwork, which involves filing fees that will also be financed by your contributions.  You can download a membership form here.  The mailing address is provided on the membership application/renewal form.

Our Board of Director elections are also quickly approaching.  At the January 19 meeting, the Nominating Committee put forward the following slate: Cary Silverman, President; No nomination, 1st Vice President; DeeDee Slewka, 2nd Vice President; Rickey Williams, Treasurer; Si Kailian, Corresponding Secretary; Jefferson Parke, Recording Secretary. At-Large (5 Positions): Rob Amos, Jonathan Cohen, Merc Fox, Lydia Goring, Warren McBroom, John Thompson.  Anyone who would like to serve should contact the Nominating Committee appointed by the Board of Directors: Merc Fox, Si Kailian, or Jonathan Cohen.  MVSNA will hold elections at the next membership meeting on February 16 at 7:30 pm at the Yale Laundry Lofts.

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The Convention Center Strikes Back


Thursday, January 21, 2010                                       Contact:    Chinyere Hubbard
                                                                                                      chubbard@wcsa.com
                                                                                                      (202) 439-5133
                                                           
 
(Washington, DC) – Today, the Washington Convention and Sports Authority filed suit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against JBG Properties, Inc., Wardman Investor, L.L.C., CIM/Wardman, L.L.C., JBG Managing Partner Benjamin R. Jacobs and JBG Chief Development Officer Kenneth F. Finkelstein.  The complaint, which contains six claims, alleges that the defendants unlawfully attempted to extort concessions from Marriott Hotel Services, Inc., in connection with the Wardman Park Hotel. The Authority further alleges that the defendants' actions have caused significant injury to the Authority’s rights and interests in the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project, located at 9th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW, adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
 
The Authority also has requested to intervene in a case currently before Superior Court Judge Natalie Combs Greene in which Wardman Investor and CIM/Wardman challenged aspects of the headquarters hotel, a planned 1,174-room Washington, DC Marriott Marquis.
 
"We intend to be aggressive in protecting the Authority’s interest to make this shovel-ready headquarters hotel project a reality,” said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and CEO of the Authority.  “The new hotel is key to our ability to continue to compete as a premier convention destination. In addition, the District of Columbia will see immediate economic impact once this 40-month design-build construction project breaks ground.”
 
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Bussuto Delayed, Yale II Moving Forward


Buzzuto Development Company is asking District's Historic Preservation Review Board for a two year delay on its planned residential development at 460 Block New York Avenue NW, according to DC Mud.  Construction was slated to begin on the project, on the west side of the block, in 2010.   The planned 13-story building would include 87 residential units for a total of 85,555 square feet.  The plan includes demolishing the deteriorating small store/residence (known as the "Boner building" for its graffiti) from the 1870s and literally picking up and moving westward the other remaining three-story residential property dating from 1902.

Next door, however, construction on Yale Laundry Lofts II has resumed after IBG secured a $50 million Housing and Urban Development loan, as reported in the Washington Business Journal.  After the developer had excavated the site, leaving a massive hole, construction stopped for several months.  Now, completion of the second building, which will deliver 218 apartments, is expected in late 2011.

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The Squeezable Reasonable Rent Quest!


Dear Residents of Mount Vernon!

My friend and I are relatively new to the area and we are looking for a place to rent near or around Mount Vernon (we really like this part of town!). This task might prove itself easier if I (in particular) was not such a budget. Thus comes our request! If you or someone you know happens to have an empty house/room/attic or basement apt available we would very likely be interested in living there! **Also, if it's a space in dire straights both of us have a lot of experience on fixing up places as well!  If you'd like to strike a deal on making a particular space more livable and thus easier to rent in the future (if desired) then please email or call me! Along with really low rent ($700 or less for both of us...) We are looking for approx. a 6 month time span.

A little bit about us: Both of us are from Asheville, North Carolina. I (Roxanne) graduated from UNC Chapel Hill this past May with degrees in Photojournalism and Studio Art and am trying to create a start with freelance photography. I could also do an art trade for partial rent if someone happened to be interested in custom paintings (on or off the wall). My friend Hana went to school at Vanderbilt and is currently an international intern for the Alliance to Save Energy; she also speaks Russian, has worked in the green building industry and can cook yummy thai food.

My email is roxanneturpen@gmail.com and you can reach me anytime at 919.923.9849 -we are looking to move in by Feb 1st (if not sooner) so please don't hesitate to contact me with questions or quotes if you know of anything!

Thanks so much Mt Vernon!

 

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