Tulip Planting Project Saturday, November 6 [UPDATE]

[UPDATE]  Due to this weekend's rallies on the mall, we've decided to postpone the tulip planting one week, so mark  your calendars for a morning of fun on November 6 planting tulips!

Last fall, neighbors gathered to plant over 800 tulips in the 1300, 1400 and 1500 blocks of Ninth Street. Despite an incredibly harsh winter, many of the tulips brightened up the streetscape with their beautiful red and purple blooms this spring.

When we completed last year’s planting, we announced that this year’s planting would take place north of Rhode Island Avenue.  In light of the fact that we lost more plants than anticipated, we’ve decided to supplement the tree boxes we planted last year with more tulip bulbs and defer our north-of-Rhode-Island-Avenue-planting one more year.

To that end, clear this coming Saturday morning (October 30, 2010) for a morning of tulip planting and fun with neighbors. The planting will kick off at Old City Green at 10:00 a.m. We’ll have coffee, instructions, supplies, and maybe a few tools (bring your own gloves and trowels if you have them). We’ll assign volunteers tree boxes and send everyone their way.

Please send me an email at slumhistorique@yahoo.com if you can lend a hand in planting bulbs on October 30, as we need a rough headcount.


Shaw Treebox Tulip Planting
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Meet at Old City Green at 10:00 a.m.

This project is once again brought to you by Shaw Main Streets and Old City Green. If you would like to help fund this planting, please send me an e-mail; donors will be recognized.

From SMS: Shaw Sweet Potato Festival and Open House Tomorrow

From Shaw Main Streets comes news of a great way to spend your afternoon in Shaw tomorrow (Saturday, October 2, 2010):

Come to Shaw for the annual Upper Ninth Street Open House and the first ever Shaw Sweet Potato Festival, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 2, 2010!

Neighborhood businesses will be presenting free samples of their food and beverage offerings, and showing off the latest fashions during the Shaw Open House, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW, and adjacent blocks. Also known as Little Ethiopia, this block offers more than just Ethiopian and Eritrean food, but also French pastries, beer, wine, and spirits, Brazilian and custom clothing, gifts, and much more. Pick up a free event passport at Etete Ethiopian Cuisine, 1942 9th Street, NW (www.eteterestaurant.com), and visit at least six businesses to be entered in a drawing for prizes from participating businesses at the end of the event. Winners must be present.

Bakeries, restaurants, cafes, and even an outdoor garden center will be celebrating the inaugural Shaw Sweet Potato Festival. Try free samples of the sweet potato pie that the Washington Post called 'the best we ever had,' spicy delights, etc., vote for your favorite sweet potato dish, pick up a free bag of sweet potatoes, and have your kids enter the sweet potato decorating contest (think 'Mr. Potato Head'). Pick up a free Shaw Sweet Potato Festival map at Chatman's D'Vine Bakery & Cafe, 1239 9th Street, NW (www.chatmansbakerycafe.com) and join in the fun from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM all along 9th Street, NW. Co-sponsored by Mid Atlantic Gleaning Network (www.midatlanticgleaningnetwork.org).

For more information, call 202-265-SHAW or email shawmainstreetsinc@gmail.com.

Pipeline: Foster House Renovations

Foster House Apartments at the northeast corner of the intersection of Ninth and Rhode Island Avenue is about to undergo a major renovation. According to this Summer 2010 newsletter (PDF) of the new property manager:

This 8 story 76 unit apartment building is a project based Section 8 property. The housing units planned renovation will be later this year using tax exempt bonds with 4% low income housing tax credits.

KPMS-DC plans to bring the best in property management to the DC area as we continue to grow our brand in the market place. This is a very significant project in the historic Shaw District of Washington DC.

From what I have heard, the renovation will be analogous to what's ongoing at Gibson Plaza on Seventh Street, with residents not being displaced during construction and the end product being a more liveable, updated and beautiful structure and grounds.