Brookland Cafe Free Tea and Coffee Tasting

  Make sure you stop by the Brookland Cafe tomorrow, Saturday May 22 for a free Coffee and Tea Tasting from Organo Gold.  Organo will be sampling some of it's newest tea and coffee offering for free from Noon until 2PM.  It's a great chance to check out the Cafe's new menu offerings, or make a first time visit to the neighborhood gem!

CUA's Columbus Community Legal Services Receives Largest Single Donation in its History

From Columbus School of Law Press Release:
"  By any measure, it’s one heck of a birthday present. The Columbus School of Law’s legal clinic, which is celebrating 40 years of existence in 2010, received a gift of more than $222,000 on May 7th, the most magnanimous donation in its history.
   The clinic is one of 13 charitable legal programs, most of them in Maryland, to benefit from more than $2 million in unclaimed money left over from a successful large class-action lawsuit that was brought against Cellular One (now a division of AT&T) in 1999.  The suit claimed the wireless carrier overcharged late fees to customers in violation of Maryland law.  Lead attorney's for the plaintiffs’ class, John Beins, Seth Goldberg and Paul Gleiberman, litigated..."

Congrats to the Columbus School of Law or their success.  Got to The Columbus Shcool of Law's Article  for the full story.

Dear Vince Gray, Use Your Head...

  The usual sluggish stop and go morning commute through Brookland this morning had another factor to contend with...dreams and aspirations.  The dreams and aspirations of Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray to be precise.  Mr. Gray and his cohort of overly exuberant supports were out early this morning trying to rally support for the man looking to take the city by storm.  However, the lack of judgement displayed by Mr. Gray soured several community members.    "Lack of judgment?" you ask...let us explain. 
  As the cars inched along 12th St. NE towards the intersection of 12th and Monroe, they were greeted by the boisterous clapping and cheering on of Mr. Gray by his supporters, often encouraging drivers to honk their support...seems harmless enough, right?  Well when you combine this with the  fact that at the corner of 12th and Monroe is St. Anthony's Church, the waters muddy a bit.  Not because there is something inherently uber-sacred about the street corner a Catholic Church sits on, or because Catholic's are better than others.  No, it's when you add into the fact that in this Church at the same time Vince Gray has his supporters out yelling, whistling and getting honks, a funeral was about to start. Yes a funeral! Now how could one know a funeral was about to start?  Simple, the hearse was being unloaded with the priest and family members helping to move the coffin into St. Anthony's.  Some may say "Well, Mr. Gray does not control where his supporters choose to hold rallies," and they may be right.  Except for the fact that Mr. Gray himself was walking up and down in front of the church, between lanes of traffic no less, trying to rally support by talking to motorists. 
So let's get this straight Mr. Gray, your plan to win over members of this community are as follows:

1. Increase traffic congestion for your own gain.
2. Walk in the middle of Traffic during rush hour.
3. Attempt to stop motorists on a congested street and talk to them.
4. Allow your campaign supporters to carry on across the street from a Church while a family attempts to mourn.

Now while none of these demonstrate anything ethically or morally askew in Mr. Gray, it does show a distinct, and particularly pointed, lack of judgment. Looking back at politicians and their careers, one is lead to believe that having sound judgment is key to being successful.  It's always about the little things Mr. Gray, and with regards to your display this morning, you failed. Please, use your head next time and we look forward to seeing a much better thought out plan in the future.

 
Note: The Totten Life does not endorse any particular candidate...it simply reports on local events and the impact they have on the local community.

Washington Hospital Center Nursing Protest

  Along the Michigan Ave. entrance to the Washington Hospital Center, dozens of Nurses and supporters are out braving the elements protesting changes to the nursing contract proposed by the hospital's new management.  Negotiations between Nurses United of the National Capital Area and WHC's new head honchos have been ongoing for weeks, attempting to bridge the gaps dividing the two sides.  The major issue seems to be a proposed change in staffing levels.  The 1,600 nurses employed by WHC are citing that a change to the current staffing levels (proposed by WHC as a cost saving measure) will cause a drop in the quality of care patients will receive, in particular patients with critical needs.  As the current Nursing contract expired yesterday (originally slated to expire April 24 but extended through May 10), the nurses are out in mass taking their message to the street.


Q: What do you do when your nose goes on strike?
A: Picket. 

In Bloom: Time for DC's Farmers Markets

View DC Farmers' Markets by The Totten Life in a larger map
  As the weather continues to warm and the sun shines hotter around the DC Metro area, the ever expanding field of Farmer's Markets begin to open. The once limited selection, that boiled down to a choice between Eastern Market and Foggy Bottom, now has blossomed to 25 seasonal and year round markets. In particular, Brookland now boasts two seasonal Farmers' Markets which are both slated to open in the coming weeks. It is a perfect chance to get out enjoy the beautiful weather and support our local and community growers and merchants. If you have any knowledge of DC Farmers Markets not listed on the map, let us know!!! Happy hunting!

The Great Brookland Yardsale This Saturday

  The annual Great Brookland Yard Sale is finally here.  The yearly neighborhood tradition was started three years ago, and is ready for it's largest group of participants yet (over 50 houses!!!).  The GBYS will begin at 10 AM this Saturday (May 8th) and run until 2 PM.  Attending the GBYS is free of course, and made easier by a much more organized effort than in previous years.  The easiest way to traverse the massive coalition of sellers, is to utilize one of the free maps found at any Sale Participants Table or by stopping by The Menkiti Group's office (official sponser of the GBYS) on the corner of 12th and Evarts Ave NE. The below Google Map can also be used to help direct you from sale to sale (it is the most recent list of all participants)!!  If there is rain the date will shift to Sunday, May 9th. This is a great opportunity to show off our community and the amazing and diverse people who make events like this possible.
Also, if you need a break from your haggling and antique hunting, be sure to stop by Channing St. NE and give a cheer for the Menkiti Group's renovation project for Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC. 


View Great Brookland Yard Sale 2010 in a larger map

Ding Ding Ding Goes the Trolly: Metro Streetcar Debut This Week

 One of the most anticipated plans in DC Transportation History, the modern streetcar system, is about to hit another exciting and major milestone tomorrow.  The new DC Streetcar will be on display starting  tomorrow (May 5th) at City Center DC (the site of the old convention center), and run through Saturday.Admittance to the Showcase is free, and the event schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, May 5, 11am – 7pm
• Thursday, May 6, 11am – 7pm
• Friday, May 7, 11am – 7pm
• Saturday, May 8, 11am – 5pm

Citizens will thave a unique opportunity to get a hands on look at the Skoda-Inekon built street cars, which are very similar to the ones currently being used in Portland, OR. 

Want to learn more about the Streetcar program? 
Check out these links for some good information:
d. Streetcar Showcase Announcement
d. Streetcar Proposed System Plan
d.Streetcar Homepage

DCRA in Brookland To Promote Building Safety Month on May 4th

  As part of Building Safety Month, the DC Depatrment of Regulatory and Consumer Affairs (DCRA) will be at the True Value on 12 St. NE tomorrow morning (5/04) from 10 AM - 2 PM.  DCRA has partnered with the DC Department of the Environment (DDOE), Department of Public Works (DPW), DC Fire and EMS (DCFEMS), DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) to host several exciting events at their offices and in the community all month long..  If you can't make it out tomorrow, DCRA will be back in the area at the Home Depot on Rhode Island Ave. on the 21st and 28th of May, as well as making appearances throughout the city all month long. Be sure to get otu and make your home, apartment, office and city a better place!!

Met Branch Trail Open: Bike Brookland to Union Station

D-DOT, in conjunction with the Rails to Trail conservancy, cut the ribbon this morning opening the newest section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail Bicycle Path.  It is now possible to bike from Brookland all the way to Union Station on a dedicated bike path.  City construction crews and CaseyTrees will be planting trees, installing benches and completing other finishing touches during the coming weeks.  Another celebration of the trail opening is scheduled for Saturday June 5th as part of National Trails Day.  So get out there and sport your tightest outfit and get peddling to celebrate National Bike Month!!!  MBT Trail updates can be found Here (Click Me).


View MBT: Metropolitan Branch Trail in a larger map

Rhode Island Ave. Metro Station: Construction Begins

The Rhode Island Ave. Metro Station's parking lot was closed this morning  indefinitely due to the start of construction of a new multi -level parking structure.  Commuters with parking passes for this station are allowed to park at any other metro owned parking lot.  The parking garage is part of a previously reported project which will add 274 apartments and 70,000 sq ft of retail space in addition to the parking structure. 
Details of the construction can be found HERE.