Yesterday's Turkey Giveaway

Yesterday morning the new Industrial Bank teamed up with DaVita and the American Kidney Fund to pass out over 200 turkeys to people who stood in line to get one.



I don't know why, but my first instinct was to feel kinda bitter about yet another charitable "we're so great because we're doing something in Anacostia" event. But people need turkeys, and someone was nice enough to give them away. This is a Good thing. Simple as that.

Sometimes it's easy to brush away the reality that despite all the positive changes around here and the big plans for everything that there's still a significant low-income population over here. Here's to a better attitude.

photo courtesy of BP Communications

but before everyone gets Too excited...

turns out that those renderings are a few years old, that it will only be 2 stories (as opposed to the five inter-stacked stories seen below), and will be a bit more modest in design. I guess neighbors freaked when it was originally proposed.

I'll update when I get more information.

Let the MLK transformation begin!

the blog DC Metrocentric totally scooped me on this, but there is a great new building under construction at 2345 MLK Ave, about a block from the Anacostia metro station.


looking north on MLK Ave


inside one of the uber-chic residential units

The building will be completely mixed use: retail on the ground floor, with medical offices and residences above. Obviously this building is not in the historic district, but it looks like it will be a really cool addition to the neighborhood. I love it when developers don't skimp on architecture, and this design by Boston's Höweler + Yoon is pretty stunning.

It's projects like this that are going to lift Anacostia. Big cheer.

Click Here to see some of architect Eric Höweler's photos of the site preparation earlier this week

check it: Flip't on Prince of Petworth

This is last week's "news", but I've started a new feature on the blog Prince of Petworth called Flip't. It will chronicle the renovation and sale of a house I am flipping on U Street SE here in Historic Anacostia.



The first post got quite the response, with a lively discussion in the comments about gentrification and renovation. I'll point you in the direction of Prince of Petworth next time I update so you can get in on the ground floor. Until then, enjoy.

Click Here to read the first edition of Flip't.

FotoWeek Starts Tomorrow in Anacostia

FotoWeek DC starts tomorrow night, folks, and Anacostia is the where the exciting stuff is happening. Check out this great poster for all the details ... with some more details below.

Click to Enlarge


Friday Night @ 7:30, 2204 MLK Ave SE



Tickets Still Available! Silent Auction + Reception hosted by Senator Al and Franni Franken to celebrate the kick-off of DCFotoWeek in Anacostia and the opening of Owen Franken : A Photography Retrospective. The Senator will be drawing his famous free-hand map of the US to be auctioned off during the event. Tickets are $25 - email bferraro@archdc.org or call 202-365-8392.

A preview of Owen Franken's, "A Photography Retrospective" at The Gallery at Vivid Solutions is free and will open at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, November 7 - Saturday, November 14: (all openings at 7PM on the 7th)

Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Road SE



Women Photojournalists of Washington: Including works by Astrid Riecken, Allison Shelley, Abby Greenawalt, Ashely Twiggs, Algerina Perna, Amanda Lucidon, Andrea Bruce, Carol Guzy, Gabriela Bulisova, Jamie Rose, Katie Falkenberg, Laura Pohl, Melina Mara, Sarah L. Voisin, and Yanina Manolova.

Alternative Art Space, 2200 MLK Ave SE



BK Adams' and Steven M. Cummings' I AM ART: Presenting an experimental installation with interactive components.

Gallery at Vivid Solutions, 2208 MLK Ave SE



Owen Franken, A Photography Retrospective: Owen has traveled to over 100 countries and covered everything from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the culture of food and wine in his home city of Paris.

This is a great excuse to check out Anacostia for the first or the hundredth time. Come on over!

Streetcar Meeting Tonight - come support!

So it turns out that certain adjacent neighborhoods and some local organizations are advocating Against the streetcar alignment on MLK. Tonight there is a Ward 8 Streetcar meeting and we need you out there to vocally support this important project. I don't know about you, but this added connectivity is one of the reasons I moved to Anacostia to begin with.

When:

Monday, November 2 from 7-8:30 P.M.

Where:

Savoy Elementary School
2400 Shannon Place, SE

What:

the meeting will consist of display boards, maps, information about the proposed system, and opportunities for participants to speak individually with and ask questions of project team members. The open houses are open to the public, and no RSVP is necessary.

For further information, please visit www.ddot.dc.gov/dcstreetcar or contact the project hotline at (703)682-5060.

Please go!