CHASE Update: G8Way DC is so cool!

ESLA was at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new G8Tway DC pavillion on the Saint Elizabeths East campus in Congress Heights and we fell in love! The new structure is simply beautiful. This a great addition to the CHASE (Congress Heights Anacostia Saint Elizabeth) master plan.

We are looking forward to attending events at this new venue.

Including pictures from the ribbon cutting ceremony. Is this place awesome or what?!

Updates on the 11th St Bridge Park!

Dear Friends of the 11th Street Bridge Park,

We wanted to give you an update on our work creating DC's first elevated park over the Anacostia River. We've had a REALLY busy and productive month! To date we have secured $528,000 in cash and in-kind support and now have funds available to launch a nation-wide design competition. All very exciting! We continue to actively raise funds as part of our $1 million pre-capital campaign goal which includes implementing an economic development analysis, a health impact assessment and on-going programming. If you are interested in supporting the 11th Street Bridge Park, please visit our website and click on the secure "DONATE" button on the right hand side of the page. http://www.thearcdc.org/partners-programs/partners/11th-street-bridge-park

Thanks in advance for your support! What we've been up to this fall:

USING TECHNOLOGY TO REALIZE BRIDGE PARK GOALS Thanks to everyone who came out last night to help brainstorm ways to deeply embed technology into the 11th Street Bridge Park designs. Attendees came up with amazing and creative ideas including: virtual kayak classes, interactive light art displays, crowd-sourced performances and embedded sensors measuring visitors' exercise. We captured all these great ideas and will post them on our website soon. A big thank you to PEPCO Regional President Donna Cooper who hosted the event at PEPCO's Edison Place Gallery.

WALK WITH A DOC / 11th STREET BRIDGE PARK TOUR - NOVEMBER 13 In an effort to engage members of the local health community with our project, we are partnering with Dr. Ted Eytan, Director of Kaiser Permanente's Center for Total Health for a site tour the morning of Wednesday, November 13. We'll discuss ways to ensure this new civic space can benefit visitors' health by providing a safe place for active recreation and showcase urban food production. We have a few spots left - you can RSVP here if you'd like to join us: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/8678287993

Oct 31 | Anacostia Library hosts Halloween event for kids

The DC Public Library and WHUT has you covered with this special event at the Anacostia Community Library! What a great way to spend the day! 

Anacostia Public Library

1800 Good Hope Rd SE

We don't know if Cory Booker is moving to Anacostia...

But we think it is great he is thinking about it! ;)

Anyone who has spent any time in Anacostia can attest that the greatest thing about our neighborhood are the people. We are a community of families, stay at home moms, single professionals, hard working dads, artists, musicians, soccer players, civil servants, writers, small business owners, dog lovers, cat lovers, entrepreneurs, gardeners, bee keepers, and everything in between!

There is always room for one more -- including Cory Booker.

Anacostia -- a place where anything is possible!

Photos courtesy of Tommie Adams Jr.

Metro wants you to love your bus stop -- and take their survey!

From our friends at Metro! 

This sounds like a great way to show community love -- one bus stop at a time! Please spread the word and fill out a survey! 

How can we make you love your bus stop more? 

The Love Your Bus Stop Campaign is your opportunity to have your voice heard about possible bus stop improvements. Through an online survey, social media or public events across the region, we want to learn about your opinions and preferences on how to make enhancements to bus stop amenities. 

Metro has received a grant for $2 million to improve Metrobus passenger bus stops in the Metropolitan DC region. 

The Bus Stop Improvements Survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete and gives you the opportunity to provide feedback about bus stop features that improve safety, comfort, and accessibility. By completing the survey, you’ll also be entered in a drawing to win a $50 SmartTrip® card to thank you for your participation!  

You are also invited to join us at one of our outreach events over the next few weeks.  

The Anacostia meet up will be:
Tuesday, October 22 3pm – 5pm
1101 Howard Road SE  

Note: Events are subject to change due to inclement weather or emergency conditions.  

Please check for updates on our Facebook page MetroForward and Twitter feed @metrobusinfo.  

You can follow us using the tag #LoveYourBusStop.

Community Wellness Collective fitness classes @ Anacostia Arts Center

The Community Wellness Collective (CWC) is a low cost, community-based health and wellness program that aims to get people moving and learning about basic health promotion and disease prevention. Objectives of the CWC are to: Improve health and nutrition literacy in Southeast DC Provide low cost access to exercise and movement activities Activities will include health literacy workshops and group exercise. The Community Wellness Collective is located inside the Anacostia Arts Center located at 1231 Good Hope Rd SE.

Go HERE for a schedule of $5 classes! 

A sampling of the anticipated exercise offerings include:

• Running and walking groups 

• On the move – a free-flowing dance and movement class, focusing on breathing and movement. Requires no dance experience- only an open mind

• Urban athlete- a high intensity fitness challenge for those looking for an extra push 

• Guts and Butts- class focused primarily on abdominal and lower body strenthening 

• Pilates Stress Buster – class focusing on breathwork and techniques to reduce day to day stress 

• Zumba 

• Yoga – a variety traditional and unique offerings including:

• Broga- Yoga for men only. Taught by Southeast’s own, TanOMazi 

• Yoga for Athletes 

• Kids Yoga 

• Teen Yoga

• Meditation

Arts & Culture in Anacostia

AMERICA'S ISLAMIC HERITAGE MUSEUM

2315 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE

202.610.0586

ANACOSTIA ART GALLERY

2806 Bruce Pl SE

202.610.4188

ANACOSTIA ARTS CENTER

Coming Spring 2013!

1231 Good Hope Rd SE

202.365.8392

ANACOSTIA PLAYHOUSE

Coming Spring 2013!

2020 Shannon Place SE

ANACOSTIA PUBLIC LIBRARY

1800 Good Hope Rd SE

202.715.7707

BLANK SPACE SE

Pop-up gallery & Creative rental space

1231 Good Hope Rd SE in the Anacostia Arts Center!

202.365.8392

FREDERICK DOUGLASS NHS

1411 W St SE

202.426.5961

HONFLEUR GALLERY

1241 Good Hope Rd SE

202.536.8994

SMITHSONIAN ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY MUSEUM

1901 Fort Pl SE

202.633.4820

THEATER ALLIANCE

1231-B Good Hope Rd SE

202.241.2539

THE GALLERY AT VIVID SOLUTIONS

1241 Good Hope Rd SE (temporary location)

202.365.8392

Yoga with Tano tonight at 6pm

Tano is back and is ready to get you flexible and fit with another hour of power yoga!

Brought to you by the Community Wellness Collective in the Anacostia Arts Center located at 1231 Good Hope Rd SE.

Class starts at 6pm
Class Fee: $5

See you there! Mats are available if you need one!

The Black L.U.V. Fest was awesome!

This past Sunday, ESLA dropped by the annual Black L.U.V. Fest and boy was there a lot to see! Vendors, musicians, spoken word, community information and lots of love!

The Black L.U.V. Fest was held in the parking lot next to the Big Chair. A good time was had by all and we are definetly looking forward to next year's festival!

Including some pictures of this year's festival.

Free yoga and zumba classes today at Anacostia Arts Center

Get fit Anacostia with the Community Wellness Collective!

Today, September 23rd enjoy two free wellness classes.

Yoga Power Hour with Tano
12pm

Zumba with Tia
6:45pm

Both classes are free -- for now! Take advantage of all of these wonderful activities right here in the neighborhood. Classes are open to the public, tell a friend!

Go HERE for a full schedule of wellness classes offered by the Community Wellness Collective.

The Anacostia Arts Center is located at 1231 Good Hope Rd SE and is open Tuesday - Friday, 11am - 7pm.

Local Spotlight | Entrusted Development

ENTRUSTED DEVELOPMENT, LLC

1231-B Good Hope Rd SE

Washington, DC 20020

(202) 361-5576

Currently For Sale: 124 46th Place NE

Entrusted Development is a real estate sales company based out of Washington, DC. We specialize in the purchase and sale of residential property in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. 

The founder, Kevin S. Breckenridge, is a licensed real estate Broker with Entrusted Development, LLC. He specializes in working with real estate investors and current home owners. With an emphasis on quality, integrity, and attention to detail, he prides himself on giving you trustworthy and transparent service.

Sept 18 | 11th St Bridge Park Presentation + Update

Go to this link to learn more and to RSVP:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/event/8057378837

This event is free and open to the public! 

Wed, September 18

6:30pm - 7:30pm

THEARC

1901 Mississippi Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20020

Sept 12 | Historic Anacostia Block Association monthly meeting

Keeping Our Neighbors Informed and Involved in the Social Happenings of Our Community

Monthly Meeting Reminder September 12, 2013

See You Thursday!

Can you believe Summer is about over? In a busy community like Ward 8 time really flies. Be sure to enjoy the warm weather while it last. We would like to invite you to our monthly community meeting this Thursday that includes a comprehensive agenda, which includes: 

Councilmember David Grosso:
Councilmember Grosso has taken a special interest in our neighborhood. We have invited him to stop by to chat about his Property Tax Legislation, Ketcham Elementary School and other Greater Anacostia initiatives.

Ketcham Elementary School:
The school year has started and Ketcham Elementary has a new principal. We have invited Principal Maisha Riddlesprigger to introduce herself to the neighborhood and let us know how we can create a community partnership.

Anacostia Coordinating Council invites you to these special events

Next Sunday, September 15, 2013, at 10:22 a.m., will mark the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham, Alabama church bombing, which was a critical event in the civil rights struggle.

To commemorate that tragedy, the Anacostia Coordinating Council, Daughters and Sons of Dorcas Anacostia Art Quilters, and the Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ invite you to the following events that will be held at the church, 3845 South Capitol Street, SW:

Sunday, September 15 at 10:00 am:
Special worship service commemorating the Birmingham bombing

Sunday, September 15 at Noon:
Meet the quilters at opening exhibit and reception in Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 pm:
Reception and panel discussion featuring quilters

DHCD Update | Big K Highest and Best Use Study

The following  update is provided by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information visit their website. 

Below you will find the independent market study conducted by Delta Associates to determine the highest and best use for the development of the Big K site in Historic Anacostia.

Big K Highest and Best Use Study

DHCD Update | Big K Site Development Cedar Flats Presentation

This update is brought to you by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development. For more updates visit their website. 

On September 4, 2013, DHCD facilitated a public meeting to allow Developer Tim Chapman,  and his team, to provide Ward 8 residents, ANC Commissioners, community leaders, business owners and other interested stakeholders with a progress report on the Big K Site (2228, 2234, 2238, and 2252 MLK Jr. Ave SE).

Cedar Hill Flats Powerpoint Presentation

DHCD Update | Big K Site Development Update

The following information is brought to you by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information visit their website. 

On June 4, 2012, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), released a Solicitation for Offers (SFO) for the development of the Big K site, an assemblage of District-owned properties in Ward 8.  The property is located at 2228 – 2252 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E., at the corner of Morris Road.

The Big K site is comprised of 4 lots, prominently located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in the Southeast quadrant of the District. Three of the four parcels are located in the Anacostia Historic District.  There are two historic single family properties and one commercial building located on the site.  While one of the single family properties was demolished, the Solicitation expects that the developer will seek creative ways to rehabilitate and adaptively re-use the remaining buildings while maximizing the development envelope through compatible new construction. A successful development proposal will result in a vibrant, mixed use development that promotes walkability and provides neighborhood-serving retail. 

The project was awarded to Chapman Development on November 1, 2012 and DHCD entered into a Property Disposition Agreement with 2228 MLK, LLC (a development entity formed by Chapman).

Areas of Interest:

Solicitation
September 4, 2013 Public Meeting
Highest and Best Use Market Study

Free Zumba class tonight at the Anacostia Arts Center

Brought to you by The Community Wellness Collective! Come out for their Grand Opening this Saturday, September 14th!

Tonight's Zumba class starts at 6:30pm in the Community Wellness Collective studio in the Anacostia Arts Center located at 1231 Good Hope Rd SE.

See you there!

Go HERE for more free events!

ABC 7 | Anacostia: Michelle Obama and Shaquille O'Neal promote 'Let's Move!'

The DC Circulator can get you where you want to go!

Eat Shop Live Anacostia is made possible with support from wonderful partners and sponsors. Please take a moment and learn more about this month's sponsor, the DC Circulator!

Have places to go? People to see? The DC Circulator can take you there with stops in Anacostia! Go HERE for rate information!

Summer brings some changes to the Circulator’s routine! Through September 30, the DC Circulator has added two hours of service on weekdays and Saturday service on two routes:

• The Union Station-Navy Yard route will run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

• The Potomac Avenue-Skyland via Barracks Row route will run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

In addition to offering this extra convenience during the summer, the Union Station – Navy Yard route provides additional service on all Washington Nationals game days. Service will extend to midnight for every night game (games starting after 4:05 p.m.) the Nationals play. For Sunday games, there will be service on this route from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. If any changes to the Washington Nationals’ schedule occur, we will adjust service as needed and make announcements through the website, Twitter and Facebook.

Go DC Go!