Bloomingdale at a Glance

Bloomingdale was featured in the Washington Post back on April 19, 2008. If you missed it, you may want to check out the article The Word Is Out About Bloomingdale. The Post summarized the neighborhood in the following manner.

BOUNDARIES: North Capitol Street on the east, Florida Avenue NW on the south, Second Street NW on the west and Bryant and Channing Streets NW on the north

SCHOOLS: Gage-Eckington Elementary, Shaw Junior High, Dunbar Senior High and Cardozo Senior High

HOME SALES: In the past 12 months, 24 condos sold, from $235,000 to $579,000, with half the sales in the $300,000s, according to Carlos Garcia of Keller Williams Capital Properties. There were 55 houses sold, from $295,000 to $865,000. There are 34 houses listed for sale, priced from $230,000 to $788,000. Seventeen condos are listed, from $249,000 to $595,000.

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE: Big Bear Cafe, Windows Cafe, Crispus Attucks Park, Howard University Hospital, many corner convenience stores

WITHIN 10 MINUTES BY CAR: In light traffic, U Street NW corridor, Logan Circle, U.S. Capitol, downtown Washington

This Date in History

January 31, 1865: The House of Representatives approved the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery in the United States. (Image courtesy Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs Division. LC-USZC4-2521)

Public Sculpture

I came upon this sculpture quite by accident … doesn’t that describe a lot of life?

Sky Landscape, by Louise Nevelson, is located on the northeast corner of L Streen and Vermont Avenue. Being approximately 20 ft. high, it was commissioned by the American Medical Association and dedicated March 10th, 1983.

Then and Now

Then: The Paige-Jewett automobile dealership on the SE corner of 16th and U Street, NW, ca. 1921.

Now: The car dealership is long gone, and a third floor has been added.

Fight Rats, Get a Tax Break … It Could Happen

According to the Examiner, Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans is proposing a tax credit for businesses that purchase and use a trash compactor. Evans’ bill offers a corporate income tax credit equal to 50 percent of the cost of the trash compactor, which run in the thousands of dollars. “It’s been shown that trash compactors are the single most effective way to get rid of rats,” says Evens. Complete article here>>

Weekend Pick — Chinese New Year Parade

Each year a parade is held in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment. The parade is Sunday, February 1, on H Street, NW, between 6th and 8th Streets and will run from 2-5 p.m.

Weschler’s Preview and Sale

The latest Weschler European & American Furniture and Decorations (including Asian Works of Art) sale is coming up. The gallery will be open to preview items that will be in the sale starting tomorrow through Thursday, February 5. The auction will be on Saturday, February 7, starting at 10 a.m. More information>>

Design Contest for African American History Museum Begins

Today’s Post reports that the National Museum of African American History and Culture yesterday named six award-winning architecture teams that will compete to design its signature building on the Mall in the shadow of the Washington Monument. Complete article here>>

Another Trip to the Forklift

Last weekend involved another run to Community Forklift. The forklift is a lot like the Brass Knob warehouse or Second Chance up in Baltimore. Sometimes you can find some really cool stuff, and much cheaper than Brass Knob. Of course, you really need to shop at all three if you are looking for just the right item, as salvage is always hit and miss.

So far, I’ve been able to get some great shutters, and its the only place I’ve been able to find trim-work that matches our house.

From the last trip, I noticed that they currently have several nice mantles and some great pocket doors. I also noticed this great shutter … a pity its a single, but sometimes all you need is one for a pattern to get started.

This Date in History

January 30, 1815:  The Library of Congress — destroyed when the British burned Washington — was reestablished with Jefferson’s personal library containing 1500 volumes.