Union Market Upcoming Events

  Want to know what the new Union Market has to offer, and when all of their great events will be taking place?  Thanks to Ryan, Edens Communications Director, we were able to get a copy of the Union Market Flyer and schedule of events.  There are a ton of great events to partake in; Trucktober Fest (this weekend), Primetime Libations (weekly friday HH's), Righteous Cheese classes, Food Styling, Meat Up Haloween (Oct 29), and the official complete market opening and Crafts Fair (Nov 10th).  So many things to do, and eat, and drinik, and watch, and smell, and...Enjoy.

Ward 5 School Supply Give Away

This Saturday from 1-5 PM the OCASE Foundation, in conjunction with CM Kenyan McDuffie and other organizations, will be hosting a Back To School Supplies Giveaway.  If you or someone you know in Ward 5 needs help getting their children properly supplied for the coming school year, please spread the word!

Union Market Preview...Finally!

  There may be no upcoming addition to the greater Ward 5 landscape that is as highly anticipated as the September opening of the new/revitalized Union Market.  The once dilapidated and scarcely populated market, is in the final phase of it's major overhaul by real estate developer Edens Corporation.

View of Union Market sign from NoMA Metro Station Platform

   In anticipation of this opening (and to get the word out) Edens teamed up with Brightest Young Things Entertainment to hold their first annual Union Market Picnic on Saturday, July 21st.  While the weather was not the best, it accomplished exactly what the developer intended.  It got the word out!  With several of the vendors in attendance plan on making the Market their home, several local  food trucks and craft vendors helped make the experience memorable.  The Market, while not fully completed, was far enough into the construction project  for all in attendance to get a sense of what an amazing space this will be.  With vendors lined up like Rappahannock River Oysters, Peregrine Espresso (literally the best coffee shop in DC, go to their Eastern market location NOW if you don't believe us), Tickling Springs Creamery (products available at Yes! Organic Markets), Takorean, DC Empanadas, Lyon Bakery (see their bread in action at The Rolling Ficelle food truck), and many more! 

Vendor map of Union Market DC

The market's official opening date will be September 8th, and will operate Tuesday-Friday 11am - 8pm & Sat - Sun 8am - 8pm.  Enjoy some of the pics we managed to grab between scarfing down oysters and bbq and beers and cookies and churros and sliders and ice cream and tacos and oh boy, we may have overdone it...

Market entrance for the UM Picnic

Wall display of original market layout

Some of the festivities outside...too bad the rain didn't let up

Rappahannock Oyster Booth...with a little
Flying Dog! Rappahannock will utilize this
booth as a permanent resident of the Market

Picnic attendants enjoying some sliders from Lyon Bakery
and a little Oyamel.  Lyon will have a booth at the
mMarket, while sadly...Oyamel was just helping with food.

The unique entrance chandeliers made of recycled water
bottles...that's right those are all plastic water bottles

Hill Country BBQ was also on hand to provide some
food, and it went great with some 21sr Amendment
Hell or High Watermelon IPA.

DC Public Schools Beautification Day

  Got this message the other day and thought it would be a good opportunity to spread the word, and get both new AND old residents to come togther and help kick off the school year right!

  "DCPS is preparing for our annual Beautification Day. This year, Beautification Day is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. We're looking for over 3,500 volunteers from every neighborhood in the city to help ensure that our schools are ready and welcoming for the first day of school.
  There's something for everyone! You can help us by:
• Volunteering at a school (Register)
• Serving as a site manager (Register)
• Downloading a flier and spreading the word.
If you have questions, please e-mail our planning team at dcps.beautificationday@dc.gov.
We look forward to seeing you on August 25th!
-The Beautification Day Planning Team"

After speaking with Stephanie at the Office of Family and Public Engagement, we were able to get specific information for ANC 5A/5B. There are still numerous volunteer spots open for the Mamie D Lee School, Brookland EC, and LaSalle- Backus EC.  Please utlize this opportunuty to help out neighborhood children, and ensure they have the best school year experience possible!

Learn to Garden at Ft. Totten Community Garden This Summer

  The Neighborhood Farm Initiative (NFI) has opened enrollment to their summer Adult Gardening Education Program.  This program is designed to help teach adults the basics of organic gardening, focusing on the ins and outs of growing your own vegetables.  More importantly it is taking place right in our own back yard at the NFI Garden behind the Ft. Totten Metro.  The class runs from May through early September, and is broken up into 11 weekly instructional "hands on" classes with experts.  You will also get

your own 12' x 12' community garden plot, seeds and transplants, access to the necessary garden infrastructure (i.e. drip irrigation system, trellises, stakes, tomato cages), and more. 

  The class cost $450, but when you consider all you need to do is show up and everything else is provided for you it seems like a great deal!  Details can be found here: http://www.neighborhoodfarminitiative.org/programs/gardening-education-program/

5th Annual Great Brookland Yard Sale

The fifth annual Great Brookland Yard Sale will take place on Saturday May 12th from 10:00 AM until 2:00PM. Over 50 households have signed up to have yard sales. For more information, visit the Brookland Civic Associations Website.  This years rain date is May 13th.
Thi annual event is always a great way to get out, meet neighbors and find some great deals and steals!  In past years participation has been mostly by Brookland  residents, but this years map shows a few houses in Michigan and North Michigan Park as well.  If you would like to participate in the GBYS, follow this link, and provide your name and address of your yard sale.  Also send  a list of specific items for sale, and photos to draw people to your sale. This will get you on the official Map and hopefully increase your foot traffic!

View Great Brookland Yard Sale 2012 in a larger map