HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hello Everyone! Here's wishing you a safe and happy Halloween!  Sorry for the short notice but here are a few events in the DC MINNIE area for the kiddies...

6th District HQ
Halloween Kiddie Cabaret
10/31
5-9:30pm
100 42nd Street NE

6D Boys and Girls Club #14
Ghost Town
10/31
5:30-7:30
4103 Benning Rd NE

6D CAC
Safe Halloween Party
10/31
5:30-8:30pm
1191 46th Place SE

Remember...No tricks, lots of treats!

Coming Soon to Benning Road...7-11

The signage is already up for the new 7-11 store that will soon open on Benning Rd. NE (across from Spingarn HS).  On Tuesday (10/26), the store hosted a hiring event to staff the Benning Rd. store as well as the store opening on Bladensburg Rd.  Mayor Gray was in attendance for the event.  According to the Mayor's office, of the people hired "on-the-spot" , ten were from Ward 7, three from Ward 8, four from Ward 6, and five from Ward 5.  The hiring event was part of the One City, One Hire initiative.

For more information on the City's One City, One Hire program, or for job listings visit DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) at http://does.dc.gov/does

Pictures from Make a Difference Day at J.C. Nalle Elementary

Here are just a few pictures I took at Make A Difference Day at J.C. Nalle School.  Make a Difference Day is a nation-wide event where volunteers participate in community service projects all over the country.  At J.C. Nalle, volunteers did some landscaping, painted outside areas, painted inspirational sayings around the school, painted college logos on canvases and wrote cards to the students. 

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, opens the day.

DCPS Student Alexus Taylor and I painted a message for the kiddies!

 

 

The finished product

Let's Get Involved!

We all have a vested interest in keeping our community safe and clean, however if cleaning up the park isn't your cup of tea, there are countless other services you can provide to an organization in need. Whatever gift you have been blessed with I guarantee there is an organization that can benefit from your expertise.

The organization Greater DC Cares http://www.greaterdccares.org  has a database of volunteer projects that you can search by interest/impact area.  Animals, elderly, kid-friendly, eco-based, education...you name it, they have a service opportunity for it!

Here's a project in our community this weekend: Make A Difference Day at JC Nalle Elementary School located at 219 50th Street SE, Washington, DC  20019.  They still need volunteers so if you have a few free hours please sign up!

Something to think about..."According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about a quarter of the population aged 16 and older volunteered in 2009. Persons who volunteer are most often Caucasian, female, college educated, and between the ages of 35 and 55."
 
Thanks to the community service requirement imposed by my daughter's school I've rediscovered the joys of volunteering. Even though this is something we have to do, I must say I've been enjoying it!  Doing a little bit of something beats doing nothing any day!

Getting In on the Ground Floor: Accessing Local Government

One day shortly after I moved to Ward 7 I decided to ride my bike to Anacostia Park.  I was shocked to see that there were paved paths for pedestrian traffic.  For years there had only been the vehicle lanes to facilitate all types of traffic. Now that's what a call a park! A place where you can walk, jog, bike, and enjoy the park safely without worrying about dodging cars.  I thought "boy I wish Fort Dupont Park had this!"  So I decided to look into it!

The next day I emailed my ward representative, Councilmember Yvette Alexandria.  I was quite surprised I received a response that same day!  Ms. Alexandria thanked me for my email, explained some budgetary issues that might come in to play and asked the Director of Constituent  Services for Ward 7, Amin Muslim, to provide contact information for my civic association and ANC rep!  She also requested that he follow up with me, and he did!

It turns out that since the park is under the National Park Service there are a lot of hoops to jump through to get things done, but I was amazed at how responsive the councilwoman was.

This experience showed me how accessible local government can be. Many issues that shape and change communities are first addressed at civic association meetings and ANC meetings.  And guess what?  They are open to the public.

You may not be able to change the world at a civic association meeting, but you will gain insight about the happenings in your neighborhood and possibly change your little corner of the world!

Cupcakes Have Come East of the River

Working in Georgetown has made me a savvy cupcake connoisseur. 

• Georgetown Cupcake - Delightful little cupcakes, well-balanced with good texture
• Baked and Wired - A dessert lover's dream, the cupcakes are HUGE! 
• Sprinkles - One word...YUMMY!

But a new cupcake contender has thrown their hat in the ring!  Olivia's Cupcakes is located at  2318 Minnesota Ave. S.E.You can't miss the bright purple facade among the other nondescript row houses on the block.  This family owned cupcakery has a wide array of offerings (check out their website http://www.cupcakesbyolivia.com/25901.html) and their treats are priced about $1.00 less than the places in Georgetown!

I'm headed there this weekend to give them a try.  If you are in the area please do the same!

Think Globally, act locally!

The Corner of Benning Road & Minnesota Avenue

If you've taken the bumpy ride past the corner of Minnesota Ave & Benning Road, you've undoubtedly noticed the new government building that's there, but did you know that there are even bigger plans for that intersection?!

Enter "Park 7".  Phase 2 of the revitalization plan for that intersection calls for the creation of an $80 million dollar mixed-use facility.  This project has been dubbed "Park 7" by the developer (Donatelli Development and Blue Skye Construction).  This facility will hold over 300 housing units, (some affordable rentals and some market-rate condos), 23,000 square feet of retail space and underground parking.

Don't believe me?  See for yourself! www.dc.gov, www.blueskyeconstruction.com/park7.htm

Welcome to DC Minnie

DC Minnie is a blog about the happenings on and around Minnesota Avenue, DC and all of the great streets and neighborhoods that intersect with it! Come, read, comment, follow and enjoy!