I want to take a moment to wish all of my constituents a HAPPY NEW YEAR and a wonderful 2011. The past decade has seen many changes in our neighborhood. I hope we continue to fulfill our potential while improving our quality of life. Thank you for your support and best wishes to all!

Tips for Protecting Yourself and Your Property During the Holidays

The Metropolitan Police Department cautions everyone to take the time to learn more about protecting yourself and your property during the Holidays. There has been an increase in crimes of opportunity in our neighborhood and we advise you to read the TIPS provided here below:

· Never open your front door automatically. Install and use a peephole.
· Keep your doors and windows locked.
· Vary your daily routine (Routine Activities).
· Use "Neighborhood Watch" to keep an eye on your neighborhood and neighbors.
· Leave lights on when going out at night; use a timer to turn lights on/ off when you are away for an extended period of time.
· Notify neighbors and the police when going away on a trip.
· When you are away remember to cancel deliveries such as newspapers and magazines. Arrange for your mail to be held by the Post Office, or ask a neighbor to collect it for you.
· Report crime or suspicious activities by calling 911.
· Install deadbolt locks on all your doors.
· Keep your home well lit at night, inside and out; keep curtains closed.
· Ask for proper identification from delivery persons and/ or contractors.
· When having contract work performed in the home, try to have someone that is trustworthy supervise workers.
· If a stranger asks to use your telephone, offer to place the call for him or her yourself, never let a stranger into your home.
· Do not leave notes on your door when you are gone.
· Do not hide your keys under the mat or outside in other conspicuous places.
· Never give out information over the phone indicating you are alone or that you won't be home at a certain time.
· If you arrive at home and suspect a stranger may be inside, DO NOT GO IN. Leave quickly and call 911 immediately.

I hope that these TIPS are helpful to you and your family and that you have a Happy and SAFE Holiday Season!

Holiday Activities Bring Neighbors Together

Several holiday activities have taken place recently that have brought together neighbors, including the U Street Neighborhood Association Holiday Party held on December 9 at Marvin. Shown above is a collage of photos taken by Borderstan.com staff.

Below is a photo taken by the Current Newspapers at the First Annual Tree Lighting held on Friday, Dec. 17. I am pictured with Councilmember Jim Graham and ANC 1B04 Commissioner Deborah Thomas.

We hope all of you are enjoying the holidays!

First Annual Tree Lighting at 14th and U

Please join us for the first annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Arts District at the REEVES Center located at the corner of 14th and U Streets at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 17. Bring your family and friends to celebrate good tidings throughout the holiday season. Hosted by DC Arts District Marketing Team and City Officials; Emma Mae Gallery Event Coordinator. See you there!

New DC Loft Gallery Opens

I attended the grand opening of the new DC Loft Gallery at 1926 14th Street on Friday evening. Among the artists featured in the current show is Swann Street neighbor Charlie Gaynor. He is showing his latest work using a canvas printing process that transfers his photos on to a canvas. Please drop by and welcome Joseph Teshome, the owner, to our neighborhood. We wish him much success! It's great to see another art venue on 14th Street in the Arts District!

Arts District Banners Ready for Review

After several months of community input and design modifications, the Arts District banners are ready for final review. On Monday, Nov. 8, the Branding Project leaders unveiled 3 finalists for the banners. Here is a sample of what was presented to the Dupont Circle ANC on Wednesday evening, Nov. 10. The ANC approved posting of the banners along 16th, 15th and 14th Streets. The banners will also be posted in the rest of the arts district. The banners will be installed in early December just in time for the holidays. For more information, please visit the Branding Project's website.

Thank you for your Support!

I would like to take a moment to thank you, my constituents, for re-electing me as your ANC Commissioner for another term. I would like to keep improving our neighborhood and our quality of life here. So keep letting me know what you think of any issues or opportunities there may be to do this...and keep coming back to my website where I will contnue to post the latest information about upcoming matters.

Re-election Campaign Kicks Off at ANC Meeting

My constituents have been contacting me to encourage me to run again...so I have decided to run for another term. I presented my accomplishments to the community at the ANC meeting on Wednesday, October 13, and again at the U Street Neighborhood Association on Thursday evening. It has been a privilege to serve as Commissioner of SMD 2B09 for the past eight years. During that time I have worked to improve our neighborhood and I have listed some of the improvements below:

1. moving the Center for Community Change from Georgetown to 16th and U
2. encouraging restaurants like JoJo's, Policy, Chidogo, Local 14 and DC Noodles
3. supporting first class retail like Room and Board
4. shaping residential developments like Utopia and Whitman Walker projects with over 400 apartments
5. downzoning our neighborhood to protect our historic townhouses
6. paving streets, replacing sidewalks, putting in bike lanes, and planting trees
7. arranging for foot patrols to protect our residents, businesses and visitors
8. making sure that DC government built the dog park and updated the park at 17th and T
9. saving the Source Theatre
10. preserving the historic house at the corner of 16th and T

I have served as the Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Commission for two terms. My colleagues have honored me with the title of Chairman Emeritus.

We have a 14th Streetscape and a U Streetscape on the books and so I ask you for your vote to monitor these projects to make sure that the community gets what has been promised...and of course, to continue improving our quality of life.

14th Streetscape Plans Unveiled

The DDOT staff and project team revealed the streetscape designs to the community on Wednesday, Sept. 29. I have displayed the furniture and lamp post designs in the graphic above. The designers are asking for community feedback so please visit the DDOT website to view the designs and email your comments to muhammed.khalid@dc.gov. Final design presentations will be made in November based on comments that are submitted. The project will begin in Spring of 2011 provided that funding is finalized by the District Government. We look forward to this exciting improvement in our neighborhood.

Celebrations Enliven Our Neighborhood

Two celebrations took place in our neighborhood this month enlivening our community...the Labor Day Pig Roast at Cafe Saint Ex and the 17th Street Festival. We live in the heart of the City and these events give us an opportunity to celebrate our diverse neighborhoods.

I hope you took advantage and participated in them!

Good food, good music and good friends and neighbors...

JBG to Begin Construction of Whitman Walker Condos

Later this month the JBG Companies will begin demolition of the buildings along 14th Street at the site of the former Whitman Walker Clinic at the corner of 14th and S Streets, according to James Nozar, Project Manager. The original anchor building, the former Hudson apartments, will remain and will be renovated (seen at the lower left in the drawing above). The plans for the JBG project were approved about two years ago that include spaces for a major restaurant and retail shops on the ground floor which will span the entire block up to Swann Street. The 125 units will be smaller in size than conventional condominiums, offering purchasers an opportunity to buy a condo in the neighborhood at a slightly lower price. There will be underground parking on two levels for residents and shops.

When the Historic Preservation Review Board approved the project, they asked that a memorial be created and placed in the lobby of the anchor building to commemorate the former Whitman Walker Clinic at this location.

New Experimental Design for 16th and U Bike Lanes

The intersection of 16th ST, U ST, and New Hampshire Ave is a challenge to navigate safely by bike, so DDOT has designed an innovative treatment involving new bike lanes, bicycle signals, and a "bike box." During this experiment, bicyclists will be able to travel legally in both directions on NH Ave through the intersection.

The diagram above depicts the experimental design for the intersection. Click onto the picture to get a close up look at the proposed changes.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please contact DDOT at 202.671.0681.

Dog Days are coming August 7-8

It's that time again...the dog days of August are coming the weekend of the 7th and 8th. Get ready to explore fabulous shopping and culture during this year's sidewalk sale. Sizzling savings are waiting for you.

Join your neighbors and visitors to our neighborhood and have some fun!

Chidogo hot dogs to open in August

Chicago-style hot dogs and au jus dipped Italian beef sandwiches are coming to our neighborhood in August, replacing the former seafood place two doors down from McDonald's at the corner of 14th and U Streets on the Southwest corner. We welcome this new business and wish them much success. They will offer draft beer to accompany their hot dogs and sandwiches.

METRO Fares go up June 27

The METRO fares were raised effective June 27 to $1.95 for the base fare for MetroRail and $1.70 for MetroBus. For more information, please visit METRO's website at http://wmata.com/. A second set of fare hikes will take place on August 1, when METRO will implement a new 20-cent surcharge during peak-of-the-peak travel periods (weekdays 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m., based on the starting time of the trip). This will not only generate vital funding, it will encourage customers who have the flexibility to ride during less crowded times, alleviating congestion during the peak periods.

Room and Board Opens June 14

You are invited to attend a special weekend long party for friends and neighbors at the new Room and Board store located at the corner of 14th and T Streets NW. The store will be open to us on Saturday and Sunday before it opens officially to the public on Monday, June 14. Drop by to tour the store and greet the staff and see the merchandise from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

We welcome Room and Board to our neighborhood and wish them the BEST!

Neighborhood Spots Win Recognition

Please support your favorite neighborhood spots especially during this recession! Some of our local winners include Busboys and Poets, Islander Caribbean Restaurant, HR 57, Bohemian Caverns, Black Cat, Nellie's and Town. Read about them at the Washington City Paper. See you there!

Streetsweeping Begins March 22

Attention everyone who parks a vehicle(s) on our residential blocks! The District will begin streetsweeping on Monday, March 22. Tickets will be written for any violations beginning on Monday, March 29. So you will have one week to resume the alternate side parking regimen that is part of living in our neighborhood.

DC Center Moves Into JBG Whitman Walker site

DC Center, an LGBT community service organization, has found a temporary new home in two former Whitman Walker Clinic properties on 14th Street owned by JBG Properties. "This particular spot is really well known to the LGBT community and is really in the heart of the community," said David Mariner, DC Center's Executive Director and only full-time staff member.

"Due to the economic climate which has prevented immediate development, JBG Properties has generously offered the space to DC Center on a temporary basis," the DC Center posted on its blog last month.

The Center offers programs related to education, political advocacy, HIV/AIDS, drug rehabilitation, the arts, and violence prevention, among others.

Welcome to our neighborhood!

5 Cent Per Bag Charge Begins January 1

Beginning January 1, 2010 businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge you 5 cents for each carryout paper or plastic disposable bag. You can bring your own disposable or reusable bag to the store or restaurant. Some stores and restaurants will offer you a 5-cent credit per bag for bringing your own, so you’ll actually save 10 cents. You can also choose not to bag your purchase.

The majority of the proceeds from the carryout bag fee will go into the new Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund. DDOE will administer this fund, and use it to clean and protect the Anacostia and other local waterways, and to provide reusable bags to residents. Proceeds from a new commemorative license plate and income-tax checkoff will also go into the fund.