Lamond-Riggs Library Community Meeting
June 12, 2019
7:00 pm
Lamond-Riggs Library (5401 South Dakota Ave. NE)
Join your friends and neighbors for the next community meeting about the new Lamond-Riggs Library. The design team will present initial concepts for spaces and services and will gather community feedback.
Learn more about the project at dclibrary.newlamondriggs.
The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), is starting a compost training class. Do you want to learn how to turn your food and yard waste into valuable soil, a process called composting? If yes, please join the compost training class.
The class will meet seven times for two and a half hours. Participants must attend all seven classes to complete this training. Upon the successful completion of all training classes and the passing of the final exam, a certificate will be issued.
What is compost?
Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Making compost keeps your yard and food waste materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a greenhouse gas.
Compost loosens clay soils and helps sandy soils retain water. Adding compost to soil improves its fertility and stimulates healthy root development in plants. The organic matter provided in compost provides food for microorganisms, which keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition.
EVENT DETAILS
Every Thursday
May 30 – July 18, 2019 (Except July 4th)
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Bertie Backus Urban Food Hub
5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C. 20017
CONTACT
Paula Avellan
paula.avellan@udc.edu
(202) 274-7128
PAYMENT
The cost of the compost training class is $100 now $50. Payment can be made before or at the time of the first class, by check or money order, made payable to the “University of the District of Columbia.” Please put “3901J” in the memo line. Limited fee waivers are available for qualifying registrants.
UDC is seeking volunteers to assist with cleanup of its native plant nursery located at the Bertie Backus Food Hub at UDC-CC Backus, 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Two dates are available:
May 23, 3:00 pm-7:00 pm and
May 28, 3:00pm-7:00 pm
Register at the link. Some supplies provided, but bring gloves and wear closed-toe shoes. For questions, please contact Laura at (202) 274-7159.
Guest post by David Kosub
Come one, come all! Let’s have some fun playing in a National Park in our backyard!
What: Fort Circle Field Day
When: Saturday, May 18, 2019, starting around 12:00 noon
Where: We’ll be set up somewhere on the grassy field at Fort Circle Park bounded by South Dakota, Galloway, and Gallatin NE
Who: Everybody is welcome! Tell your neighbor of 40 years across the street and the one who just moved in next door. Tell your friends in Lamond-Riggs. Tell your family in North Michigan Park. Tell your buddy in Manor Park. Tell your puppy we’ll have a yappy hour. Tell the 96 Bus driver, but they may look confused.
Why: Because who doesn’t enjoy just hanging out in the park, meeting some new faces, playing a couple field games, drinking some lemonade, taking in nature, strumming a guitar and thumping a drum, and watching puppies catch frisbees
This is a totally low-key social event. Come and go as you please. Bring some musical instruments. Bring some balls. Bring a lawn chair. Bring some SPF 40. Bring your grandma’s homemade sweet potato pie. And, don’t forget to bring grandma too.
Please spread the word to folks far and wide. Let’s begin reactivating Fort Circle Park for the benefit of our community!
Construction on the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Fort Totten was suspended between January and March earlier this year so that DDOT could focus on finishing up the design. Construction resumed in April. I received information from DDOT that up next for construction is Phase B, which will include reconstruction of the existing trail between Gallatin Street and 1st Place NE. A temporary trail will be constructed adjacent to the existing trail to maintain access between Fort Totten metro station and the buildings west of the station. The MBT Fort Totten extension website should be updated with a new construction schedule soon.
I neglected to publish a recap of the Zoning Commission hearing for Art Place at Fort Totten Block B (it’s sitting in my draft box), but now is a good time to give an update since the developer has submitted its post-hearing statement. The public hearing was held on April 4. The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association was granted party status in support of the project and raised a number of issues for the developer to address. (Disclosure: I currently serve as president of LRCA). You can read LRCA’s testimony here. Two residents presented testimony, primarily concerning traffic and transportation issues (read those here and here), and Casey Trees testified, requesting that the developer keep a number of trees that are slated to be removed for construction. The Zoning commissioners also raised a number of issues, which you can read below and in the developer’s post-hearing statement.
Proffered benefits by the developer:
The circular hub that is the prominent feature of the FEZ design will no longer feature the much discussed “kinetic” facade. Ever since the developer revealed its plans, there has been discussion about what exactly is going on, what materials will be used, whether it would be lit, whether it would disturb nearby residences. So in response the developer has gotten rid of the kinetic elements. Below are updated and more detailed renderings. The Zoning Commission will review the project on May 20.
Fridays at Fort Totten free outdoor concert series hosted by the Modern at Art Place is back! Starting June 7, each Friday evening, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, there will be a band and food truck at the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. Check out this summer’s lineup.
June 7 – Jimi Smooth Band
June 14 – Jarreau Williams Xperience
June 21 – Jah Works
June 28 – Allthebestkids
July 5 – The Monster Band
July 12 – Pebble to Pearl
July 19 – Sol Roots
July 26 – Cecily
August 2 – Oh He Dead
August 9 – The JoGo Project
August 16 – Feel Free
August 23 – Deacon Izzy & The Congregation
August 30 – Rain Date
UDC is seeking volunteers to assist with cleanup of its native plant nursery located at the Bertie Backus Food Hub at UDC-CC Backus, 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Two dates are available:
May 23, 3:00 pm-7:00 pm and
May 28, 3:00pm-7:00 pm
Some supplies provided, but bring gloves and wear closed-toe shoes. For questions, please contact Laura at (202) 274-7159.
The Washington, DC Economic Partnership released the 2019 Neighborhood Profiles. View the profile sheet for Riggs Park here. It is exciting to see some new additions to the neighborhood’s profile, including mention of the tenants secured for the second phase of Art Place at Fort Totten (Meow Wolf and Aldi) and 24 Hour Fitness for the first phase of the project. The profile also highlights the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Brookland to Fort Totten and the forthcoming EYA mixed-use townhome project, which will feature roughly 160 townhomes and approximately 25,000 square feet of retail. It even has the contact information for the new neighborhood Main Street. The only thing missing from the profile is the neighborhood library’s upcoming $20 million rebuild! All in all, this profile sheet provides a cool, compact visual of the development on deck and a snapshot of the demographics in the neighborhood.
Today is the last day to sign up for the lottery to receive a garden plot at the Bertie Backus community garden, located at the Bertie Backus Food Hub at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. Apply at the link.
Guest post by David Kosub
Come one, come all! Let’s have some fun playing in a National Park in our backyard!
What: Fort Circle Field Day
When: Saturday, May 18, 2019, starting around 12:00 noon
Where: We’ll be set up somewhere on the grassy field at Fort Circle Park bounded by South Dakota, Galloway, and Gallatin NE
Who: Everybody is welcome! Tell your neighbor of 40 years across the street and the one who just moved in next door. Tell your friends in Lamond-Riggs. Tell your family in North Michigan Park. Tell your buddy in Manor Park. Tell your puppy we’ll have a yappy hour. Tell the 96 Bus driver, but they may look confused.
Why: Because who doesn’t enjoy just hanging out in the park, meeting some new faces, playing a couple field games, drinking some lemonade, taking in nature, strumming a guitar and thumping a drum, and watching puppies catch frisbees
This is a totally low-key social event. Come and go as you please. Bring some musical instruments. Bring some balls. Bring a lawn chair. Bring some SPF 40. Bring your grandma’s homemade sweet potato pie. And, don’t forget to bring grandma too.
Please spread the word to folks far and wide. Let’s begin reactivating Fort Circle Park for the benefit of our community!
The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is holding an election for new board officers and trustees at its next meeting on May 6 at LaSalle-Backus Education Campus (501 Riggs Road NE) at 7:00 pm. I am supporting the LRCA Forward slate in the election and I encourage my neighbors to do the same. The slate consists of Gwen Cofield for President, Tischa Cockrell for 1st Vice President, and Lisa Wray for 2nd Vice President.
Gwen currently serves as LRCA’s first vice president and chair of LRCA’s development task force. There’s a lot I can say about Gwen, but I think what really matters is that she is a kind person. She has lived in the community for over two decades now. She embraces and is respectful of everyone. She works hard and smart. There have been a lot of development issues to deal with over the past two years, and I think Gwen has represented the community well in these matters. She is terrific at listening to all sides and attempting to resolve conflicts in a respecful manner. As the community continues to grow, I trust Gwen to continue moving the organization forward and remind us all that at the end of the day we are indeed neighbors and should treat one another as neighbors.
I worked with Tischa a lot when she served as second vice president and I served as a trustee on LRCA’s board from 2015 to 2017. We planned the Riggs Park Community Day together last year, which was super fun. I think she accomplished a lot as chair of the youth committee when she was on the board. She works hard and has a lot of great ideas.
Lisa currently serves as a trustee on LRCA’s board and helped plan LRCA’s 70th anniversary celebration.
If you are an LRCA member and paid your membership dues by April 1, I encourage you to vote for:
Gwen Cofield – President
Tischa Cockrell – 1st Vice President
Lisa Wray – 2nd Vice President
UDC is accepting applications for community garden plots at the Bertie Backus community garden. The community garden is part of the Bertie Backus food hub located at the UDC-CC Backus campus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE. The deadline to apply is May 10.
The Lamond-Riggs Library Friends debuted a new website recently at
https://lrlfriends.org. Revived in 2017 under the leadership of Robert Oliver, the new friends group has been a welcome and timely advocacy resource for the Lamond-Riggs neighborhood library. You can also find LRLF on twitter under twitter handle LRLibraryFriend.
Ascension Health, the owners of Providence Hospital, are hosting two meetings to solicit feedback from the community. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their throughts directly with Ascension Health.
DATES: Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25
TIMES: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
LOCATION: Providence Ground Floor Lecture Hall, 1150 Varnum St. NE
RSVP: To RSVP for the meeting and for more information, please contact communityrelationsdc@ascension.org. Guests should enter at Main Entrance and report to the Welcome Desk for Check-In/Instructions.
The Board of Directors for the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street (SDRMS) is currently accepting applications for new members. Volunteers with diverse backgrounds are sought, but particular attention will be paid to those with legal, small business, marketing, promotions, communications, financial, or grant writing experience.
To apply, please fill out a board application form here by May 1 and a board member will be in touch with you. Interviews will be conducted on Sunday May 5 in the afternoon. As part of your application, please be prepared to address the following questions:
Below is more information about serving on the board
What are the expectations for board members?
Board members are expected to make a serious, ethical, and active commitment to support the mission of the SDRMS organization. Through this commitment, they serve on committees, regularly attend board meetings, review budget information, implement projects and policies, as well as willingly volunteer, accept, and complete ad hoc assignments. This includes staying informed on committee matters, preparing for meetings, reviewing Main Street documentation, and participating in fundraising. Importantly, Board members will work collegially and collaboratively with their colleagues on the Board, community volunteers, and the Executive Director to achieve consensus on tasks. Board members must agree to generally accepted ethical standards, regarding confidentiality, prohibitions regarding self-dealing and disclosing any real or potential conflict of interest as it relates to SDRMS business and recuse themselves from any discussion or vote regarding that particular issue.
What committees will be formed, and will board members be expected to join committees?
The foundational committees currently being established focus around Governance/Organization, Communications/Promotions, Resource/Business development/Economic Vitality, Finance, and Design to align with the Main Street approach. Ad hoc subcommittees will likely form around small business development, technical assistance, legal matters, streetscape and public space beautification, and retail surveys. Board members are expected to actively participate and be engaged in at least one committee.
How many hours are expected for Board members to commit to?
Board members should expect to commit to 6-10 hours of Board activities per month. Board members should anticipate regularly participating in the weekly hour Board conference call, at least 75 percent of the two-hour in-person Board meetings every other month per year, and a handful of hours throughout the month to achieve the goals of their agreed upon work and service to the SDRMS program.
The Bertie Backus farmstand is returning this season! Last summer’s inaugural farmstand held monthly at UDC-CC Backus (5171 South Dakota Avenue NE) was a big success so UDC is seeking to expand the offerings and frequency. This year, the farmstand will be held twice per month on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month June through November.
Vendors sought:
Handmade Crafts
Speciality Prepared Foods
Musicians
Artists
Nursery plants
Fruits and Vegetables
Community Health
Educational
Baked Goods
Beverages
Children’s Activities
If you are interested in vending, please contact Maryam Sabur at
maryam.abdussabur@udc.edu.
For those unfamiliar with the farmstand, it is one component of UDC’s Bertie Backus Food Hub located at the UDC-CC Backus campus on South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. The food hub has a compost sytem, hydroponics and aquaponics garden, community garden, incubator commercial kitchen, and native plant nursery. Click here to read an article about the food hub.
It’s festival season again with Explore! Children’s Museum. Lots of fun activities are planned, so be sure to register in advance for the free festival.
Explore! Spring Community Festival
May 4, 2019
10:00 am-1:30 pm
The Modern at Art Place
400 Galloway Street NE
Performance Schedule:
10:15 – 10:45am: Dance lessons with District Dance Arts
11:15 – 12:00pm: A Mad Science of DC Show: Things that go BOOM!
12:30 – 1:15pm: Popular Children’s Music Group: The Uncle Devin Show!
From 10:00am – 1:30pm:
Petting Zoo
Color with Luna
Face Painting by Fairy Jennabelle
Digital Drawing Station & Educational VR by Samsung
Mother’s Day card Makerspace with District Dance Arts
Guest post by David Kosub
Welcome to Next Stop Neighbors, where we get an opportunity to hear the voices behind the faces and places in Lamond-Riggs and the surrounding communities. Through this podcast series, you will meet some friendly neighbors and hear their perspectives on the community through civil, casual conversations. From the small business owner who just opened up, to the non-profit organization trying to make a difference, to the community leader describing their vision for the neighborhood, and the resident around the corner who has lived here for 50 years, we all have a story to tell.
Today, as the birds chirp and metro passes by on 2nd Street NE, we meet the LRCA Forward team – Gwen Cofield, Tischa Cockrell, and Lisa Wray running as the next Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association President, First Vice-President, and Second Vice-President , respectively. Join us to hear about who they are, their vision for the community, what is working well, where we can improve, and some quirky things about them too. Voting will occur at the May LRCA meeting, so stay informed! And, don’t worry folks, no “dirty tricks” went into the recording of this podcast.
Click here to listen to the conversation
Like the Next Stop Neighbors podcast and want to tell the story of someone in the community? Well, we welcome recommendations and, better yet, your own 10-minute interviews too!
Can’t get enough Next Stop Neighbors? Check out these past conversations: Ramdass Pharmacy (March 2019)
Note: On April 6, 2022, we received a request from one of the three artists who was featured below to remove her name and artwork from the blog post. We have done so. That mural is located on the corner of 3rd Street and Chillum Place NE.
Be sure to check out three cool new storm drain murals here in Riggs Park. These murals are designed to educate people about the Anacostia River and inspire us all to keep trash off the street and out of the river. Guest contributor David Kosub previously wrote about the selected designs here.
At South Dakota & Galloway Street NE is “Jahlil Wormley” by artist Elizabeth Sampson.
“Anacostia River View” by artist Lovancy Ingram is near 219 Riggs Road NE (near Food & Friends).
This was a really fun activity funded through DC’s Department of Energy and Environment’s Community Stormwater Solutions Grant and sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Society and the environment committee of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association. The weather was perfect for painting. Volunteers from Anacostia Watershed Society joined each artist. My kid neighbor Isabel spent all day painting. Neighbors stopped by to say hi.
This activity followed last weekend’s cleanup of Hellbender Hill. Be sure to sign up for this weekend’s Riggs Park neighborhood-wide cleanup on April 13. All of these activities are planned by the super awesome environment committee of LRCA, chaired by Olga Naidenko and Lauren Boyd. Check out pics from the mural painting below.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 