Burleith Newsletter May, 2001

There was excitement in the air, and Burleith has never looked better than it did on the Sunday of the House and Garden Tour!

It was due to Holly Dempsey's persistent efforts-beginning last year-that we finally got going with the Tour. Eventually, a few people responded to her pleas: Laurel Radley, Ann Gallagher, Bonnie Hardy, Ed Levy, Tess Martinez and me, plus the 16 dedicated volunteers who served as hosts in the houses. Jim Dempsey, along with Beverly, was a more-than-willing participant throughout the entire planning period and was invaluable on the big day.

The attractions on the tour were first-rate. The Corcoran School of Art and Design at Fillmore was an enthusiastic participant. It took very little persuasion to convince six community-spirited homeowners to open their homes to the community. And who could forget the "work in progress" and the Burleith gardens that were on the tour? The great weather helped and Burleith was very proud as it all came together. The Tour was a financial success, but more importantly, it gave us a unique sense of community. Many thanks to all who made it happen.

April was a busy month; there was quite a bit happening in the back alleys and behind the scenes. While a significant number of residents and students worked on the clean-up around Ellington Field, other folks were working on their own front and back gardens (just look around and you'll see the results!). Meanwhile, DPW came and replaced or repaired 20-plus signs (thanks to Charles Mallett and who knows how many phone calls), and another branch of DPW (no pun intended) came through and removed at least six tree stumps.

May and June should also be interesting. The May 9 BCA General Meeting will be rich and full. You will have the chance to vote for the next Board of the Burleith Citizens Association, we will have two important speakers: Dan Tanglerini, Director of the DPW Department of Transportation, and Julie Fultz, Georgetown University's new director of off-campus student affairs (Ms. Fultz is to assist Jeanne Lord as the primary liaison with students and non-student residents in the community; her phone number is 687-3428).

There is the parade on May 20 celebrating Georgetown's 250th anniversary, in which Burleith will be represented; and at the annual Burleith Picnic on June 9, the Green Lot will come to life with a variety activities for children and adults and a late afternoon pot-luck supper (as always, volunteers are needed).

Other issues on the table include DC redistricting and the possibility of a University appeal or court challenge of the BZA's decision on the enrollment increase. Please be assured that we will continue follow these major issues,

You can support your community by coming to the May 9 meeting and voting! Hope to see you there.

by Bonnie Hardy

Last weekend proved to be the busiest in Burleith that has been seen in a long time. With the perfect weather we could not have been luckier to have scheduled the Saturday Clean-Up Day and our Sunday House Tour.

Last Saturday morning at the Stadium we started right in at 8:30 and by 12 noon had reached our goal which was to clean up the litter, limbs, and leaves around the outside of the stadium on the S Street and 38th Street side. We filled about 75 bags plus debris that could not be bagged. With us were seven terrific Georgetown University students who, though not there by choice, worked hard and almost seemed to be enjoying themselves. The Department of Public Works supplied the tools to work with and were great at getting a truck to pick up the bags later that day so that the neighborhood would looks its best for our house tour. We have our friend Tom Day to thank for that.

We thank our Burleith neighbors for coming to the stadium to help out and a big thanks to the rest of you who tackled some clean up projects on your own block. The joys of Earth Day occurred right here in our own neighborhood.

Nine members were present at the April 25 Board meeting.

Treasurer's Report. Current balance is $5715.19 not including all House Tour receipts and expenses.

Membership. Four new members brings the total to 165 member-households.

Nominating Committee. A recording secretary has not been nominated. There was discussion of rotating the duties or of designating a back-up secretary.

University campus plan. The Board decided to support a request from Cloisters of Georgetown that the BZA clarify or reconsider three matters in its order approving the plan: (1) the lifting of the on-campus parking cap (neither the University nor the other parties asked for this); (2) the requirement that student vehicles obtain reciprocity parking stickers (not legally possible); and (3) a request to explicitly allow the parties to comment on the University's final draft of the plan.

Burleith Clean-up. On Saturday, April 21, residents and students filled 75 bags with leaves and debris from the outside of Ellington Field and the surrounding streets and alleys. It is difficult to identify who is responsible for the maintenance of this field; it could be DPW, the school system, Ellington or Wilson. Answer: "inter-jurisdictional confusion."

Trash and Rodent Control. Charles Mallett introduced a notice which will be distributed to those households who are not maintaining trash properly and according to city rules. A resolution was passed that would establish a Rat and Trash Control Committee authorized to distribute this notice to offenders. It will be publicized in the May newsletter and introduced at the May meeting.

House Tour. A huge success both financially and in fostering a sense of community. Receipts totaled $830, with expenses still to be determined. Thanks to Tom Bryant for sponsoring the ticket production.

June Picnic. Budget is $1200, Liz Raymond, with Peter Pulsifer, will organize this event. Volunteers are needed to help with the picnic, particularly to organize events for the children. Help is always needed early the day of the picnic to set up the tent and the tables. Tom Bryant will serve on the committee.

Georgetown 250th Anniversary Parade. Scheduled for May 20, a huge turnout is expected and streets will be closed (check this newsletter for details). Burleith will be represented only if people express interest! A motion was passed to allot $200 for a Burleith banner; another motion was passed authorizing Peter Pulsifer to organize Burleith participation. Guy Gwynne will help with the banner.

Redistricting. Pat Scolaro testified at the City Council hearing stating our wish to remain in Ward 2. Guy Gwynne and Peter Pulsifer are interested in serving on the Ward 2 task force-to be named by Jack Evans. Councilmember Mendelson has scheduled another hearing for June 10, by which time a draft redistricting map should have been drawn, and we hope to have a contingent from Burleith to support our position.

Signs and Traffic. Charles Mallett provided a list of 24 new and corrected signs now in place as a result of our meetings.

Trees. Burleith was notified that the D.C. Tree Division will remove several tree stumps. Concern was raised about some older trees being removed (on T St and 38th St) with no indication that they would be replaced. Charles Mallett will continue communications with Bill Beck on an overall plan. Marilyn Reis will update the Burleith tree survey with Bonnie Hardy.

Hospitality Packet. Charles Mallett has completed the packet to be given to new residents. It includes a number of practical information items and some history of the community.

by Holly Dempsey

A grand day in Burleith was had by all who attended the 2001 House and Garden Tour. More than 175 people toured seven homes and numerous gardens on a warm, sunny spring day. Featured this year were three side-by-side homes on 37th St that despite very similar floor plans had been renovated in quite different and attractive ways; a home on Whitehaven Parkway with pastels and a gorgeous garden; a T St residence with a glorious view from a roof-nested deck; a "hard hat" house in progress on 38th St; and a stunning R St renovation. Another feature of this year's tour was the Corcoran College of Art and Design, which served as the welcome center and which opened its studios for self-guided tours. Recent arrivals to Burleith joined the more familiar faces to serve as hosts and hostesses at the homes and help in meeting and greeting fellow Burleithans after the long winter.

Many thanks are due to the homeowners who opened their homes to us, the gardeners who let folks wander through their yards, the Corcoran, all the volunteers, and those who worked Saturday morning to clean up the stadium and streets to make the Village in the City spiffy. A big round of applause to Firehook Bakery, which provided the advanced-purchase ticket raffle prize of a loaf a week for a year, to Pat Taylor for designing the tickets and to Tom Bryant for underwriting the printing costs of the tickets. Special kudos to Pat, Bonnie, Ann, Laurel and Holly who started meeting to plan the tour when it was so cold there was a fire burning and who on the day of the tour arrived at the Corcoran with hand baked refreshments and sun screen!

If parades aren't your thing, maybe you should take an early Memorial Day holiday this year! On Sunday, May 20 from 1:00 to 2:15 pm, a "neighborhood" parade will wend its way down Wisconsin Avenue from R St to the Georgetown Waterfront. The event is the biggest of many celebrations of the chartering of Georgetown by the Maryland legislature on May 15, 1751. It is sponsored by a broad coalition of citizen and business groups, including the Citizens Association, the Business and Professional Association, the BID, and ANC 2E.

Marching in the parade will be about 100 organizations, including high school bands, Miss DC, the Redskins Band, neighborhood and other local groups, and numerous historical "re-enactors", including George Washington himself, who signed the papers establishing the District of Columbia in a tavern not far from the terminus of the parade on March 30, 1791.

The parade will assemble beginning around 10:30 along Wisconsin Ave between Safeway and R St, and will march down the hill starting at 1 pm. Following the parade there will be a waterfront festival, complete with birthday cake.

For those needing to go somewhere on Sunday afternoon, the parade will mean a big logistical headache. It will be almost impossible to cross Wisconsin Avenue south of Safeway between 12:30 and 2:30 pm. Bus service on the D2, D6, the "30" buses on Wisconsin, and G2 routes will be suspended or significantly altered for that time. From Burleith it will be possible to go north and west, and the south route on 35th St to the Key Bridge will not be closed, but expect serious congestion.

The staging area for the parade will be in the 3200 block of S St (in front of Jelleff Boys & Girls Club); the first road closings, at 10:30 am, will be this block of S St as well as R St between 31st St and 34th St. Participants will also use the Corcoran parking lot on 34th St and the east side of Whitehaven Parkway (north of Safeway).

Details of the street closings and other changes are still being worked out by the police and parade organizers. Every effort will be made to minimize the disruption, but you will certainly notice the event!

For more information, call ANC 2E at 338-7427; we will also try to keep current parade information on the Burleith web site, http://www.burleith.org.

The parking lot is at last open, and work is continuing on landscaping for the parking area and tot lot at the Corcoran School at Fillmore. The school has also made a proposal for signage (banners) along 35th St that has been approved by ANC 2E.

Progress is indeed being made: every car in the parking lot is one less on neighborhood streets, and the new tot lot is already a big hit with local toddlers. But many neighbors still have concerns about the construction and operation of the school.

Parking policies are a concern for near neighbors, especially on 35th St and S St. Neighbors on 34th St want to be sure the parking lot was built as agreed when the property was purchased. Others are interested in plans for landscaping, and may want to help with planting or maintenance (the Burleith Garden Club maintained the tot lot before the Corcoran's recent renovation).

To discuss these and other topics, the Corcoran will hold a meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday, May 10 at the school. All are welcome to attend. For more information-or if you can't attend and wish to make a comment-call Peter Pulsifer (337-3065) or the ANC 2E office (338-7427).

Marjorie Hunter, a longtime resident in the 3500 block of R St, died on April 11 at the age of 78. Ms. Hunter was a correspondent for the New York Times from 1961 until her retirement in 1986, covering the White House and Congress for that paper. In 1969, she was elected president of the Women's National Press Club (which eventually-in 1985-merged with the formerly male-only National Press Club).

Ms. Hunter was born in West Virginia and grew up on the campus of Elon College in North Carolina, where her father was a professor and her mother was a schoolteacher. She worked as a reporter in North Carolina before coming to Washington, and was inducted into the North Carolina Journalism, Advertising, and Public Relations Hall of Fame in 1992.

In Burleith, she was not a community activist, but she was well known to those on her block and enjoyed community events like the winter picnic. She is remembered as a good neighbor, and she will be missed.

The Nominations Committee has come up with a good slate of nominees for the BCA Board in the coming year. The Nominations Committee slate is as follows (names marked with a star (*) are not on the present Board):

• President: Ed Solomon
• First Vice President: Jim Dempsey*
• Second Vice President: Charles K. Mallett
• Third Vice President: Liz Raymond*
• Recording Secretary: (vacant)
• Corresponding Secretary: Marilyn Reis
• Treasurer: Michael Fahrquhar
• Newsletter Editor: Peter Pulsifer
• Federation of Citizens Associations: Guy Gwynne, Janice Hopper, Perrin Radley*
• Federation of Civic Associations: Michelle Dombo*, Ron del Sesto*, Margaret Meenahan, Sorrell Cap

These nominees, and any that should be nominated from the floor, will be the candidates at the May 9 elections meeting. Floor nominees must submit their consent to serve, either in person or in writing, at the time the nomination is offered. Nobody can win a seat without being nominated: Any write-in ballots with non-nominated individuals will be not counted.

All member households are entitled to vote at the meeting (one vote per household). Eligible persons are permitted to join the Association and vote at the same meeting, but if you plan to do so and aren't known to the Membership Chair, please bring some evidence of eligibility. Membership is open to all residents of Burleith (whether owners, renters or freeloaders) as well as to individuals owning property in Burleith. There are no institutional memberships. The Board serves for the membership year, July 1 to June 30

Friends of the Palisades Library is hosting a used book sale at the library, 4901 V Street NW (just north of the Safeway on MacArthur Blvd.) on Saturday, May 12 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Lots of additional books have been sorted and added to the inventory for your summer reading pleasure.

Remember, proceeds from the sale augment the Palisades Library operating budget provided by DC government. So plan to attend and plan to buy some books!!

Wednesday, May 9, 7:00 p.m. Washington International School

Elections Meeting: Elect next year's BCA Board!

• Dan Tangerlini, DPW Department of Transportation
• DPW trash collection and enforcement officials explain the new supercan program and new trash pickup rules.
• Julie Fultz, new University director of off-campus student affairs

Meet your neighbors, share your opinions!

All are Welcome !

The Washington International School liaison committee had an open meeting on April 11, overlapping with the BCA general meeting. Some concerns were expressed about landscaping along Reservoir Rd (particularly the PEPCO transformer, where plant cover was removed in the recent electrical work). Traffic also continues to be a problem, particularly at afternoon pickup.

The biggest news of the meeting concerned further construction on the school building. The present building is "incomplete"-financial concerns led WIS in 1997 to build less than the city had approved. As reported in the September 1999 Newsletter, completing the building would involve adding music and specialty rooms to the third floor on the Reservoir Rd side. But the school has been expanding enrollment according to the original plan (the current enrollment cap is 425 students, but capacity is about 400), and the building is getting crowded.

Outgoing WIS Head Anne Marie Pierce announced at the meeting that the school has decided to do the construction next summer, not this summer. WIS has been told that the work could be done in under 3 months. To accommodate additional students next year, the school hopes to place a trailer in the area behind (west of) the building. The preferred trailer location is along Reservoir Rd, but neighbors in Cloisters are very concerned about the affect on their view. Negotiations are underway about possible placements, landscaping to screen the trailer, and other ways to mitigate the impact.

Any WIS issues can be reported to Liaison Committee members Charlotte Kroll (333-7676), Peter Pulsifer (337-3065), or Larry Schaffner (333-8739).

Senior DPW official Tom Henderson announced at the May 1 ANC 2E meeting that the city is distributing new supercans throughout the city to those with alley collection. Burleith is late in the distribution schedule; we should receive our supercans by the end of June.

A supercan is the big trash can on wheels that generally sits in the alley (but remember, they must be stored on private property, off the public space!). These receptacles are designed to be mechanically lifted by the garbage trucks, and so they can hold more and be emptied faster (with less wear on the trash collectors) than standard cans. The new supercans will be warranted so that broken cans will be replaced free-just call 727-1000.

Supercans will be given out on the regular pickup day (usually Friday). Following the trash pickup, a truck will pick up all old supercans from the alley and one new supercan will be delivered to the front door. Recipients should then wheel the supercan around to the alley.

Houses that require multiple supercans will be able to buy then at $62.50 each; these cans will also come with a warranty. However, the free distribution will include just one new supercan, and all of the old alley supercans will be removed. (Supercans that were purchased recently-with serial numbers of 500,000 or above-will not be removed). Eventually, the city will refuse to collect any trash unless it is put out in the new supercans.

For houses without alley pickup, DPW is offering free 30-gallon trash barrels (the same as were delivered a few months ago). The new trash regulations make it illegal to put out household trash in plastic bags: all trash must be in a secure container with a lid. Sometime this summer, DPW will begin strictly enforcing this rule, first with warnings, then with fines.

A DPW representative will be at the BCA meeting on May 9 to answer questions about the program. Problems can be reported to the DC service number, 727-1000.

Georgetown University will hold its biannual bulk trash collection again this year. The effort is bigger than ever, and better coordinated with DPW trash collectors as well. Collection dates are every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from May 14 until June 9. In addition, DPW will make a special bulk trash pickup run in Burleith on Tuesday, June 5.

The University bulk trash collection is a service for their students (though also benefiting the neighborhood), and collection will be made from student houses only. However, anyone may call to report large items left by students or at student houses; to make a report or request more information, call 687-1646.

The Rodent Control Act of 2000, which is now law, mandates:

• Plastic bags may not be used for storing trash, except for yard waste, which can be placed in plastic bags at least 9 mil thick.
• Trash containers must be heavyweight plastic, with a tight-fitting cover attached to the container, and free of holes or cracks larger than 1/2 inch.
• Maximum container capacity in the once-per-week collection area (alley collection) is 96 gallons; not over 250 pounds when filled.
• When in the open, the containers must be closed.
• Rodent harborage (accumulation of debris or trash and grass of more than eight inches) is illegal.

Primary responsibility for adherence to these laws lies with the property owner.

In situations where there appears to be a violation, the BCA has prepared a letter to inform the residents of the problem. DC trash inspectors will usually give a warning before issuing a citation. The penalty for repeated citations increases rapidly to as high as $2000 per violation.

The DC Department of Public Works is sponsoring a household hazardous waste collection on Saturday, May 12, from 9 am to 3 p.m, at Carter Barron Amphiteater, 16th and Kennedy Streets, NW

This collection is a good opportunity to dispose of many items which are illegal to place in household trash, including such things as acids, antifreeze, batteries, chemicals, motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, oil-based paint, pesticides, and roofing tar. Computer monitors TVs, and audio/video equipment will also be accepted for a small fee (no broken picture tubes, please).

Items that will not be accepted include gas cylinders, ammunition, explosives, kitchen appliances, wooden TV consoles, radio speakers, and copper wire. For more information, call 727-1000.

Work is underway on the traffic study by O.R. George and Associates that is part of the Reservoir Rd traffic initiative sponsored by MedStar Health, with Georgetown University and ANC 2E, (last update was in the November Newsletter). Traffic counts will be made through mid-May, and then the information will be analyzed (including a computer simulation). A draft report should be ready some time in June.

The information gathered in this study will be used to suggest ways to improve traffic flow on Reservoir Rd and the immediate adjacent streets. It will also establish a foundation for assessing the impact of any future development on the Medical Center campus (including such projects as the new doctors' office building contained in the 2000 campus plan).

Meanwhile, the Medical Center is managing its expansion under the parking cap by moving parking for about 150 employees off campus and instituting a shuttle service. (MedStar's on-campus parking allotment is currently about 2500 spaces.) The shuttles will be vans that will operate from 5-7:30 am and during evening rush hours between campus and the satellite parking, located at the NRC building just north of Safeway. The University already has a similar system for a greater number of employees, with satellite lots in several locations in that part of Wisconsin Avenue.

For more information on the Reservoir Rd traffic initiative, see http://users.erols.com/anc2e/Traffic.html.

The "Lawyers Have Heart" race to benefit the American Heart Association will be run once again on June 9 through Georgetown, Foxhall and Palisades. The event includes 5K and 10K runs and a fun walk. All events begin and end at the Georgetown waterfront.

The main impact of Burleith and other neighborhoods will come from the 10K race, which will run east from Foxhall on Reservoir Rd to 35th St, north to R St, cross Wisconsin Ave. to 31st St, and go straight down 31st St to Washington Harbour. Between 7:30 am and 9 am it will be virtually impossible to drive anywwhere but north from Burleith. This will also affect bus service (and access to the hospital as well).

Community opposition to the road closings was widespread this year: ANC 2E, Burleith, Georgetown, and Foxhall all urged that organizers find a different route. Nevertheless, the DC government approved the event as planned, while promising that this year will be the last one on this route.

Last year nearly 3500 people participated, including over 1600 in the 10K race, and the event raised $286,000. This year a larger turnout is expected. Participants and volunteers are welcome; for more information call Karen Pierce at 686-6888.

Registration for Summer 2001 classes at the Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert St, begins May 12 and continues until classes begin the week of June 11.

For a price far below a health club, university, or private tutor you can take art classes ranging from painting and drawing to pottery, china painting and copper enameling. For the first time, figure sculpturing will be offered.

To keep in shape both physically and mentally there is Jacki's Aerobic Strong Step, Dancersize, and Yoga. French, Spanish and ModerKlrish Language are again being offered, with the addition of beginning, intermediate and advanced German.

Children ages 4-7 can try Tumbling and Ballet; for those at the other end of the spectrum there is the Retirees Club. And twice a week you can play Bridge.

For further information either visit the Center or call Bob Haldeman and Caryl King at 282-2180.

On June 2 there will be several events and tours in Georgetown focusing on the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. Civil War soldiers will be throughout town and in a medical field tent, Abraham Lincoln will visit, and there will be living history events at Mt. Zion church, Tudor Place, and homes on N St. For more information, call Tour DC at 301-588-8999.

Volunteers are needed to help carry the banner of the "Village in the City" in the May 20 Georgetown anniversary parade. No work involved! The banner is ready and a group is gathering to march together (children are welcome too!). And remember that the 31st annual Summer Picnic, big Burleith's biggest social event, is coming up on Saturday, June 9. Please consider volunteering to help. Just call Peter Pulsifer at 337-3065.

by Pat Scolaro

We are delighted to announce that new residents of Burleith will now receive an official welcome from the BCA. In addition to a homemade cake, the new residents will be given a folder which includes a variety of information on city services (from public works and motor vehicles to the City Council and ANC). The folder will include a current newsletter and (naturally!) an application to joint the Citizens Association.

Burleith has an interesting history so we have included a copy of the History of Burleith by Edgar Farr Russell which was originally published in July 1955 but which was revised in 1973 and updated thereafter.

This important new program has been discussed for some time and several people have worked to develop it. Charles Mallett has assembled the package and will coordinate the deliveries, and Holly Dempsey and Marilyn Reis have volunteered to bake the cakes. If you know of newcomers to Burleith who would enjoy a welcome, please give Charles a call at 337-6506.

At the BZA-mandated quarterly meeting between Georgetown University and neighboring communities on April 26, the University reported that Southwest Quadrangle construction was progressing on schedule and on budget. Excavation is almost completed and will end this summer. The signal at the south entrance to allow construction vehicles to turn left at Canal Rd should be operating at Newsletter publication; it will operate only between 10:15 am and 3:15 pm. No left turns out of or into the University at Canal Rd will be allowed at other times (barricades will be put up and monitored by GU public safety officers).

All delivery and construction traffic to the project should be from the south (Canal Rd), and be between the hours of 9 am and 7 pm. The heaviest trucks will be carrying materials for the on-site concrete mixing plant, which has already successfully poured 45 caissons.

The next step will be to erect tower cranes. The first, and largest, will go up soon and the second will follow in about a month.