Sixth Annual Riggs Park Art Crawl
July 14 & 15, 2023
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Vendors ● Music ● Books ● Live Painting ● Yoga Demo ● Face Painting ● Balloons ● Caricatures
Presented by The Parks Main Street, Culture Coffee Too, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Attorney General Brian Schwalb and At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson will lead a community discussion on the environment beginning at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Registration & information at https://oag.dc.gov/about-oag/oag-community.
Youth 18 years old and younger can eat free meals at a number of sites across the city, including a few in the neighborhood and nearby.
Open June 26, 2023 through August 3, 2023
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 2023
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 2023
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Open June 26, 2023 through August 18, 20123
Meals served Monday-Friday
Breakfast 8:30 am-9:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Snack 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
If you submitted a photo featured on the Heritage Wall at the Lamond-Riggs Library, artist Michelle Lisa Herman created a small print of the square with your photo as a memento. Please pick up your small print at the library during business hours from branch manager David Gaston. Library hours are 9:00 am-8:00 pm Monday – Wednesday; 12:00 pm-8:00 pm on Thursday; 10:00 am-6:00 pm Friday & Saturday; and 1:00 pm-5:00 pm on Sunday (closed on holidays).
Also, library officials are looking for the individual(s) who submitted the photo in the square pictured below. The photo is of four individuals holding a framed picture of a woman in profile. A small print is available for pickup.
By Robert Oliver, president of the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library Friends
The Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library celebrated its one-year anniversary on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The day began with a Happy Birthday Story Time at 10:30 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m led by children’s librarian Jesse Williamson. After story time, the children cut squares for a paper quilt in celebration of the one-year anniversary.
The adult programming began at noon. Sara Ramson led the festivities with a captivating harp performance. The audience was amazed by her mastery of the instrument despite her youth.
Next, the Heritage Wall Dedication Ceremony began at 12:30 p.m. Artist Michelle Lisa Herman held an artist talk about the journey from conception to completion of her work creating the Heritage Wall. Michelle explained the features of her art via examples from earlier commissions. She created an interactive piece using live monitors that captured and displayed the viewer’s reactions to the piece, for example.
DC Public Library commissioned Ms. Herman to express “community,” which was the popular reply by patrons when asked to give a one-word response best describing their neighborhood. Her response was a digital quilt. Each square features a picture and a memento such as a cloth, fabric, or embroidery, contributed by community members. Each square stitched together forms the digital quilt.
Michelle said this digital quilt presented some unique difficulties. A quality image requires 300 pixels or dots per inch at minimum. But this project is the size of a billboard. Billboards only require 30 pixels or dots per inch since a billboard is meant to be viewed from afar. Also, the older analog photos quickly lost resolution during enlargement. Luckily, Michelle was able to craft a solution for both problems.
Michelle concluded with a question-and-answer session. Creating an index of photos submitted for the work was a top question. However, to do so would require research since some donees asked not to have their name published.
Next, we gathered around the stairwell for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Branch manager David Gaston thanked his staff, student volunteers, and others for their support. He also recognized the Committee to Rename the Library for their work. Lastly, Mr. Gaston recited a list of accomplishments during the past year and promised more to come. I thanked Mr. Gaston for his dedication and hard work to making the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library what it is today.
The ribbon cutting was done by the widows of Charles and Robert Bryant of the Bryant & Bryant Architects. This firm developed the architectural plans for both the original Lamond-Riggs Library and the current Shepherd Park/Juanita E. Thornton Library. Charles I. Bryant, II watched as his mother, Waveney Bryant, and his aunt, Shirley Bryant, cut the dedication ribbon.
Lillian Huff, after whom the library is named, and the Bryant brothers are featured in the center of the quilt.
Everyone then convened in the conference room to chat, network, and enjoy the light refreshments provided by the Friends and the pizza provided by the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA). Lastly, everyone enjoyed the One-Year Anniversary cake.
I personally wish to thank David Gaston, the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, the Library Friends, Michelle Lisa Herman, and most importantly, the community for making this event a success!
Ward 4 Summer Safety Strategic Planning Meeting
June 29, 2023
6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Barnard Elementary School (enter on 4th & Crittenden Street NW).
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George encourages Ward 4 residents to attend a strategic planning meeting to discuss specific actions to address crime and gun violence during the summer.
RSVP to attend at www.janeeseward4.com/SummerSafety
Have ideas about an important person, place, or event in Ward 5 that should be the subject of a commemorative work (such as a plaza, sculpture, plaque) recognizing the significance/contribution of the individual or event to local history?
The DC Office of Planning has extended the deadline to submit nominations for the Ward 5 Commemorative Works Project to July 7, 2023.
Submit your nominations at https://www.publicinput.com/cwtap#4.
Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the lowest number of commemorative works in the city, so OP is working with partners like The Parks Main Street to assist with the process for identifying subjects and sites for commemorative works and the design process for works in those wards.
See Ward 5 Commemorative Works Project Meeting #1 Presentation
Some subject ideas mentioned in previous community meetings include the freeway fights in the 1960s, the family behind a Black-owned piano manufacturing company called Shadd Pianos, the architects and the inspiration behind the original Lamond-Riggs Library (brothers Charles & Robert Bryant and Lillian Huff), and the impact of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association.
Let your neighbors know about this project. Submit your nomination by July 7.
There will be a vacancy on ANC 4B in single member district 4B09 representing part of Riggs Park, effective June 30, 2023. Nominating petitions will be available starting July 3, 2023.
ANC 4B09 Boundaries
ANC 4B09 includes Fort Totten Square, LaSalle-Backus Elementary School, Riggs-LaSalle Recreation Center, and Riggs Park Place. It will also include the forthcoming mixed-use retail/senior apartment building that will be on the southeast corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. Groundbreaking on that building is likely to occur in the coming weeks.
If you are interested in running for this seat, instructions are in the vacancy notice and at https://dcboe.org/Candidates/ANC-Commissioners.
From ANC 5A
ANC 5A June 2023 Meeting: 06/28/2023 at 06:45 pm
Thursday, June 28, 2023
ANC 5A Monthly Meeting (Virtual)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81870709297?pwd=WDRMMGpvaVVGSGc5amNSU003UDE0QT09
Meeting ID: 818 7070 9297
Passcode: 847136
Dial In: 301 715 8592
AGENDA
I. Call Meeting to Order 6:45 pm
II. Quorum
III. Agenda Review/Acceptance
IV. Commission Business
A. Secretary Update
1. Minutes for Approval (May 2023)
B. Commission Action Items/Updates
1. Providence Urgent Care and Imagining Center Closure (5A03)
2. 4975 South Dakota Ave NE Gas Station Plans (5A08)
3. 120 Taussig Place-Olivia Akinsan ( 5A05)
4. Yu Ying presentation and action Carlie Fishlow (5A05)
C. Administrative Matters
1. Task Force Groups Update
V. Community Updates
A. MPD
B. Mayor’s Office
C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VI. Reports & Presentations
A. DC Public Charter Schools John Carlos Green
B. The Campaign to Reduce Lead Exposure & Asthma- Shanna Anderson
VII. Community Comment Period
VIII. Next Meeting: September 27, 2023. ANC 5A will be on summer recess for July and August
IX. Adjourn
South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE Traffic Signal Notice – June 22, 2023
The developer for Art Place at Fort Totten just distributed this notice regarding the intersection at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE.
A new traffic signal has been installed at South Dakota Avenue & Ingraham Street NE. In accordance with DDOT policy, the signal will have flashing lights 24 hours a day for 7 days starting June 22. During this period, there will not be a push activated crossing sign. Pedestrians will have to wait for car traffic to yield at the yellow light prior to crossing. While this traffic pattern is temporary, please exercise increased caution while using this intersection during this period.
From DC Public Library
Celebrate the first anniversary in the new Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library with a day full of fun events for all ages with light snacks and refereshments sponsored by the Friends of the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library.
Events
10:30 am – Happy Birthday Story Time #1 – Read, Sing, & Dance
11:00 am – Craft Activity – Youth Quilt Making (all day event)
11:45 am – Craft Activity – Various Arts & Crafts (all day)
Noon – Sarah Ramson on Harp
12:30 pm – The making of the Heritage Wall with artist Michelle Herman
1:15 pm – Official Dedication of the Heritage Wall with special guest speakers
2:00 pm – One Year Anniversary Celebration Reception
Ward 5 Commemorative Works Project Community Workshop
June 24, 2023
2:30 pm-4:30 pm
Woodridge Library (1801 Hamlin Street NE)
Join the DC Office of Planning and The Parks Main Street for a community workshop to identify subjects worthy of commemoration in Ward 5!
This in-person workshop will take place on June 24 at 2:30 pm at Woodridge Neighborhood Library, located at 1801 Hamlin Street NE.
Registration encouraged but not required. Register to attend at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ward-5-commemorative-works-community-workshop-tickets-650852666847.
Whether you’re a historian or simply interested in preserving the legacy of our community, this workshop is for you. Attend and share your unique perspective to help create something special for Ward 5!
Nominations for commemorative subjects are due June 28, 2023. Submit your nominations at https://www.publicinput.com/cwtap#4.
Ideas shared by residents in a previous meeting were discussed in these posts.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is considering placing a roundabout at the 2nd Street/3rd Street NE intersection just north of Riggs Road NE, along with a few other modifications, to deal with the longstanding issues of U-turns and left turns out of Walmart’s parking garage on 3rd Street. (View NOI-23-110-TESD). Submit comments on the proposal to kornelius.anderson@dc.gov by July 7, 2023.
DDOT proposes the following modifications:
The Notice of Intent (NOI) states:
[F]ield observations indicate that motorists frequently turn left from the Walmart garage or make U-turns to access southbound 3rd Street NE. In support of Washington DC’s commitment to the Vision Zero goal, DDOT conducted a safety and operations study of 3rd Street NE between Riggs Road and 2nd Street NE, to develop the proposed recommendations identified above and improve safety for all users.
As a result of the study, DDOT determined that the most effective way to address the mid-block safety issues is to install a raised lane separator with vertical posts from the raised median on 3rd Street NE to the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Street NE. To facilitate U-turns, DDOT will convert the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to a roundabout configuration. Following the conversion, approximately 19 parking spaces will be removed from 2nd and 3rd Streets NE to accommodate the roundabout. Figure 1 shows the proposed signs, pavement markings and the raised lane separator along 3rd St NE.
Background
A bit of background on this proposal. Back in early 2018 when I served as president of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, I created a spreadsheet of issues along the Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue NE corridor and arranged a walkthrough of the corridor with representatives from DDOT, MOCRs, ANC commissioners, and representatives from councilmember offices. I suggested the idea of a roundabout for the 2nd/3rd Street intersection (even though roundabouts make me nervous) and asked for a bunch of other longstanding requests, such as crosswalks at 2nd/3rd Street, removal of parking near Walmart’s driveway, blocking left turns out of Walmart’s driveway, all-way stop at 3rd & Chillum Place NE, and blocking parking near the southwest corner of 3rd and Chillum. I opened service requests for all of these issues, kept track of communications with District officials, and gave that information to ANC 4B. ANC 4B in turn created resolutions regarding these issues.
So it has taken some years to get to this point and several issues remain unaddressed. DDOT did install a no parking sign close to Walmart’s driveway last year, but of course people ignore the sign and still park right up to the driveway. I think DDOT needs to physically prevent the ability to park there because right now drivers exiting the driveway still need to pull out pretty far to see if there is oncoming traffic. We also need a way to prevent people from parking right near the intersection close to 300 Riggs Road NE where a Wing Stop will replace the coffee shop. The parking shenanigans will only get worse once that restaurant opens. And the intersection at 3rd & Chillum needs to be addressed.
As for this NOI, with respect to the proposed lengthy raised lane separator, I was told that DDOT is taking this action because it is faster to install this separator than to actually extend the median. I was told that perhaps in the future the separator could be converted into an extended median.
The only other thing I will say about this is that it really does highlight the deficiencies in the large tract review process for projects that do not go through the planned unit development process. Much of this should have been taken care of during the design and construction of Fort Totten Square when we raised these issues. I raise shortcomings with the large tract review process whenever I can with District officials, also to point out why the constant changes to the traffic safety investigation process are kind of bogus.
In any case, ANC 4B has developed a draft resolution in support of the proposed modifications in this NOI.
Be sure to submit comments on the proposed modifications for NOI-23-110-TESD to kornelius.anderson@dc.gov by July 7, 2023.
ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Monday, June 26, 2023, 7:00pm
Virtual Meeting Details:
For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83287696066?pwd=RWpZaEkvK01hQXY1N3NHeVJpWkVBdz09
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.
Meeting ID: 832 8769 6066. Passcode: 262224
ANC 4B is in recess for the month of July.
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for August 8 at 6:30pm.
The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for August 28 at 7:00pm.
Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner:
From ANC Commissioner Karlus Cozart (5A02)
ANC Single Member District 5A02 Meeting
Monday, June 26, 2023
6:15 pm
Virtual
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6187975861?pwd=dnshC6SprCDoMUDqiUyblEabKimBEL.1
Meeting ID: 618 797 5861
Passcode: 5A02SMD
Dial in: • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
AGENDA
i. Call to order @ 6:15pm
ii. Welcome
iii. SMD Updates
iv. Councilmember Parker updates
v. Presentation by Community Mediation DC
vi. Community Comments
vii. Adjourn
Karlus Cozart
Commissioner ANC 5A02
5A02@anc.dc.gov
202-577-7583
www.ANC5A02.com
https://anc5a.org/
Join Casey Trees as we celebrate Land Conservation Day at Hellbender Brewing Company!
Sunday June 25, 2023, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Celebrate the end of Land Conservation month at Hellbender Brewing with:
🌳 Tree Tours
📝 Tree-via (Tree based trivia!)
🎸 Live Music
🎟 Raffles & Games
🚛 BBQ Food Truck
🍺 And try the exclusive Casey Trees seasonal beer!
Casey Trees’ land conservation program aims to restore fragmented patches of urban forest, enhance urban ecosystems and public health, and protect green space for trees to grow and neighbors to connect with nature. We work with local landowners to steward natural areas and improve the conditions of those sites.
Green spaces, such as our conservation easements, work as protective buffers to slow down and retain stormwater runoff, reduce ambient air temperatures, improve air quality, provide habitat for wildlife and reduce heating and cooling costs. In addition, they provide gathering places for communities to recreate and connect with one another.
Join us on our conservation easement “Hellbender Hill” to celebrate all the benefits of protected green spaces!
Note: This is a public event – you do not need a ticket. However, registering for a free ticket helps us predict attendance, and donating in the event checkout directly supports Casey Trees’ efforts to restore, enhance, and protect DC’s tree canopy.
Schedule
Event runs 1:00pm – 7:00pm.
Hellbender Beer Hall and outside patio open for the duration of the event, as well as BBQ food truck (Beef Space BBQ), raffles, partner tables, and several games all open 1-7pm. Exclusive seasonal beer, “Fruit for Thought” Serviceberry Saison served – a saison brewed with berries picked from local Serviceberry trees. Proceeds from this beer support Casey Trees’ efforts to restore, enhance, and protect DC’s tree canopy.
Other activities are scheduled at:
1:00pm – Tree Tour of Hellbender Hill (first tour)
2:00pm – Treevia in the Beer Hall
3:00pm – Live Music Starts (Half Pint Harry)
4:00pm – Tree Tour of Hellbender Hill (second tour)
6:00pm – Live Music Ends
Hellbender is located at 5788 2nd Street NE.
Join DC Fray and the Cafritz Foundation for the Children’s Festival Event Series at the Modern at Art Place for some free, community-centered fun every fourth Saturday, 1pm-3pm, from June to September!
Details at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafritz-foundation-childrens-festival-event-series-tickets-658539067077.
June 24th – Field Day
Enjoy some summer fun for the whole family! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for lawn games, races, a mini golf course + prizes as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
July 22nd – Carnival
Share your nostalgic carnival favorites with the whole family this summer! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to win fun prizes; play games like ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and pin the tail on the donkey; or get your face painted – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
August 26th – Back to School Bash
Ready to kick off this next school year? Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to collect free school supplies and warm up your brains with our immersive instructional experiences including fun math games + a visit from a reptile expert – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
September 23rd – Harry Potter: Movie at The Modern
Calling all young witches and wizards! Show off your house pride by dressing up in your best robes and enjoy themed snacks, trivia, face painting, themed prizes + more. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for free, all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
