Category Archives: Uncategorized

Representatives of DPR provided an update on the Volta Park renovations Monday night at the library. About seven hardy souls braved the elements to attend and at least an equal number logged in virtually.

The presentation was led by Chris Dyer, DPR community engagement manager, and Peter Nohrden, a DPR landscape architect. Nohrden provided the substantive bulk of the presentation, which included the following main points:

• The construction was delayed (it was supposed to start this fall) due to extensive archeological work that needed to be performed to ensure the work wouldn’t disturb any graves left over from the old cemetery.
• Thankfully this archeological study determined that the work could move forward.
• The bulk of the project is aimed at reducing the erosion and water run-off. And to that end a large French drain will be constructed across the field, ultimately linking with a proper storm drain near Volta Place.
• The grass near the baseball infield will receive brand new sod. The grass further out will be aggressively aerated and re-seeded.
• The backstop will be fixed up but stay as is.
• The dirt areas along the first and third baselines will be replaced with a wood chip surface that will be bound with an adhesive to remain in place.
• The benches will be also fixed up but stay basically as is.
• There will be a new ADA ramp that will go from the upper 34th St. entrance down to the northwest corner. It will be gradual enough that it will appear more like a path and not need hand-railings.

Which brings me to the fence. The plans still call for a new fence running across from the tennis courts to 34th St. DPR justifies this fence several ways. The first is that it states that while the community largely feels that this is a grass park that happens to have a baseball field in it, the city considers it a baseball field that happens to have some extra grassy areas. As such, DPR believes that a fence delineating the field from the other grassy area is necessary.

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Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• New fencing goes up to block access to the old Aqueduct abutment.
• Update from the BID on the state of the commercial community.

The ANC will meet for our final time in 2023 next Monday night at 6:30 pm. We will be in person at Visitation with a hybrid option. This will be the plan going forward.

Some hot topics for this meeting!:

• Crime: Concerns about crime have spiked recently and we will be hearing our regular report from MPD as well as a separate conversation with representatives from the US Attorney’s office (which prosecutes all adult crimes in DC)
• The proposal to convert the old Capital One bank to a Tattee Bakery will be discussed
• Updates on the Traffic and Circulation Study

Here is the full agenda:

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Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• “Darth Fisher” coming to the canal.
• Massive community Christmas tree to be installed at Book Hill and lit this Thursday,

The Department of Public Works has announced that leaf collection is beginning today for Section C, which includes East Georgetown. Please rake your leaves into your nearby tree box asap if you live east of Wisconsin Ave.

If you are in West Georgetown, you are in Section D, whose timing has not yet been announced. So please hold off on putting leaves out on the curb just yet.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Want to sip bourbon in your own mini chalet?
• New Second District Commander facing increasing crime concerns.

As you get ready for Thanksgiving this week week, it’s important to take some time to think about those that have much less than us to be thankful for. And to turn those thoughts into action, please consider giving to Georgetown Ministry Center.

The institution, based right in the heart of Georgetown, offer services and programs to the area’s homeless. And in cold winter nights, it offers a place to sleep, which can be a question of life or death.

If you’re a federal employee who participates in the Combined Federal Campaign, please add the center (CFC# 31661) to your list of charities. Then pass the gravy!

Photo courtesy of Old Time DC.

This week on Georgetown Time Machine, I’m borrowing a wonderful shot from the equally wonderful Old Time DC Facebook group. It’s the corner of Wisconsin and O st.

The photo is from January 1988, and the store at the center of the photo is the legendary Doc Dalinsky’s Pharmacy. Of course, Doc had sold the shop five years earlier to retire. And, sadly, the shop itself was to close later that year:

But for a little while on that snowy Georgetown morning, it looked perfect.

Good Morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Fun deep-dive into the making of the Exorcist.
• The Public Space Committee met last Thursday and voted to extend the BID’s permit to operate the streateries for another two years.

The November Hyde-Addison Update from Hyde-parent Phil Mone:

It’s time for my monthly update for neighbors of Hyde Addison Elementary School, Georgetown’s only public elementary school! 

These last few weeks, walking my PK4 and 1^st grader to Hyde over the colorful, crackling leaves on the brick sidewalks of Georgetown is a very cheery way to start my day. 

Fundraising for Hyde’s PTA

Hyde’s PTA is selling popcorn for four days—today through Friday Nov 17 at noon.  Hyde gets 50% of all sales!

My “popup store” is here:

https://popup.doublegood.com/s/db08y0s7

There are ten flavors to choose from, including my favorite, Easy Peasy Caramel Cheesy.  The holidays are here and this popcorn makes a great gift.  Even fits in a stocking… Prices start at $9/bag (ie a $4.50 donation to Hyde!) and shipping is convenient- ships directly to the buyer! I just bought six bags.

Also, the PTA’s auction committee is seeking donations for an online auction in early December as well as for a silent auction at Hyde’s gala in March and would love to include donations from friends and neighbors! Please email fundraising.hydeaddison@gmail.com to work out the details. 

Prospective Family Open Houses: the next one is December 1^st! 

Hyde’s principal, Dr. Calvin Hooks, and other Hyde leaders are hosting five Prospective Family Open Houses over the next few months (two virtual, three in-person), with the next one scheduled for Friday December 1^st at 10am.  This virtual open house will begin with a presentation from Dr. Hooks and other members of the instructional leadership team and include a Q&A session. 

Hyde Field Trip: public speaking

My 1^st grader has a field trip with her class and the 4^th grade this week—they will be attending the “Children’s Freedom Festival” at National Harbor where they will celebrate communication performance, and gain public speaking experience.  Volunteer judges will listen to and provide students with positive feedback on their public speaking skills.  I am so glad that Hyde is helping my daughter and her classmates build these skills.

Hyde’s Playground is Open All Weekend Long!

The playground at Hyde is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays.  Please

enjoy this community resource (but please don’t leave behind trash or any other items).

Your support of Hyde is welcome and much appreciated!  Hyde’s PTA contributes essential financial support to Hyde and greatly appreciates the financial support some Georgetown and Burleith community members have already given this fall.  Please consider donating at https://hydeaddisondc.org/donate and be on the lookout for some of our upcoming fundraisers tied to the winter holidays.