Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association (PBCCA) Blog: October 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Bulb Plantings for Spring Blooms

Fall is here and it’s time to start thinking about what, if you haven’t already, will bloom in spring. This is a great time to prepare your garden beds, select your crocus, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, camassia, snowdrops, iris, paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis for beautiful blooms in the spring. While we're on the topic of planting bulbs, don't forget that you can add a splash of lively color to your home by planting bulbs indoors. The most popular candidates for this are paperwhite narcissus, perhaps because all they need is water and sunlight - no dirt is required.

When you're choosing the bulbs, think too about color and size of the blooms; there should be photos of the flowers next to the bin of bulbs For the most part, smaller bulbs produce flowers that bloom earlier in the spring, and the flowers are small, like snow-on-the-mountain or crocus. The larger bulbs, such as tulips, bloom later and produce larger blooms. Make sure the bulbs are firm, clean, and free of mold.

For more information, go to http://www.doityourself.com/stry/fallbulbplanting, for more information regarding bulbs and indoor plantings.

Friday, October 21, 2011

DC Office of the People's Counsel sponsors D.C. Utility Quality of Services and Reliability Town Hall Meetings

D.C. Utility Quality of Servics and Reliability Town Hall Meetings - Verizon, Washington Gas and PEPCO

OPC wants you to share your experiences about Customer Service billing Disputes Outrages, Equipment Problems, Repairs and more...

Anyone wishing to speak at the meetings should contact: Chris Sellers at 202-727-3071 or at csellers@opc-dc.gov.

Locations:

Saturday, October 22, 2011
Anacostia Branch Library
1800 Good Hope Road, SE
Washington, D.C. 20020
10.00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Chevy Chase Community Center
5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20015
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 pm

Increase in Burglaries Reported in Hillcrest, Penn Branch and Naylor Gardens (PSA 606)

From: "Hodge, Mark (MPD)" <mark.hodge@dc.gov>
Date: October 18, 2011 5:29:07 PM EDT
To: "'MPD-6D@yahoogroups.com'" <MPD-6D@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [MPD-6D] Burglaries
Reply-To: MPD-6D@yahoogroups.com

Hello community,

PSA 606, has experienced an increase in Burglaries primarily in the Hill crest and Naylor Gardens communities.

Suspects have targeted homes that have window air condition units and have gained entry into them by pushing the air conditions units in.

Suspects have also gained entry into homes through unsecured bottom level windows.

The Sixth District Detectives office and patrol officers are investigating these Burglaries
and are aggressively pursuing all leads.

The suspects are Juveniles working in tantrum and are casing the community during school hours.

Sixth Districts truancy and patrol units are in the area, and are monitoring and aggressively patrolling the affected communities.

I ask for assistance in abating these crimes, by ensuring that all windows and doors to your homes are secure, placing bars or a screen around your air condition units that is located on the first level of your home, and by notifying officers deployed in your community of any suspicious activity and persons and of information relative to these offenses.

Thank you and remain safe.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

DDOT to Permanently Close the 13th Street Bridge during March 2012

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will permanently close the 13th Street SE ramp to the inbound 11th Street Bridge on or about March 1, 2012. Closing the ramp will accelerate construction of new ramps from southbound DC 295 to the new inbound 11th Street Bridge and from the new outbound 11th Street Bridge to southbound DC 295.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Hospitality Meeting Oct 7, 2011 - Volunteers needed

Hospitality Meeting - The Channel Inn

Oct. 7, 2011

11:30 am to 12:45 pm.

Chairperson: Toni Reeves

Chairperson Reeves, Sylvia Preston and Carolyn Ray devoted a couple of hours doing the business of the Association at the annual committee planning session on October 7, 2011. They were able to enjoy the beautiful weather, consume a sumptuous meal at the Channel Inn, and set plans for the activities of the Association. Their commitment embodies the essence of the Association, and the Association should be very proud of these three dynamic women.

By the way, they need your help. With 9 meetings between now and the end of the fiscal year, they need volunteers to step up to assist with Hospitality related activities. They surmised that if one were to volunteer 2 ½ hours for the year, the Hospitality committee would need 8 volunteers. Just think about it, 2 ½ hours could insure the vitality of the Association. So, call Toni Reeves and volunteer your 2 ½ hours.

Finally, look forward to some exciting ideas coming from the committee. Thank you, Toni, Sylvia and Carolyn!

The Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association (PCBBA) Election Announcement for Parliamentarian and Corresponding Secretary

The PBCCA will hold elections during the November 8, 2011 general membership meeting to be held at the Pennsylvania Baptist Church, 3000 Pennsylvania Avenue. SE. Washington, DC. Laura Richards, the ad hoc Nominating Committee Chairperson, will make the official announcement at the October 11, 2011 general meeting. The elections will fill the last two remaining statutory slots on the Executive Board. Anyone interested in running for either slot should contact Ms. Richards at lmmrichards@gmail.com or call her at 202-418-5126. This is an exciting time for the Association and we look forward to your participation.

Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association: From the Beginning

The Penn-Branch Citizens / Civic Association was formed over 40 years ago by members in the community. The need for an association stemmed from specific neighborhood concerns such as water and sewer problems; the lack of sidewalks and curbs on some blocks; no posted traffic signs; and issues arising from the many District and Federal Parks that surround or are located within Penn-Branch.

The boundaries of the community served by the association extend from 38^th Street East to Branch Avenue West, and from Pennsylvania Avenue South to Pope Branch Park North. Within these boundaries are approximately 550 houses on tree lined streets covering rolling hills with easy access to the many wonderful features of the greater Washington metropolitan area. The Penn-Branch community is a touch of the suburbs in an urban setting providing the best of both worlds.

The Penn-Branch Citizens Association, as it was called until 1989, began through the formation of a number of committees, the responsibilities included working with the District and Federal Governments on varying problems. The most active committees over the years have been the Legislative and Public Works Committees, and the Neighborhood Security Patrol. Security Patrol members have contributed countless hours to assuring the security of the Penn-Branch residents. The work of the residents who have served on the PBC/CA’s many other committees have brought about many desirable improvements, and protected the community from unwanted change. The association maintains a pocket park at the corner of Carpenter and O streets, the gateway to Penn-Branch. A major project in recent year was the petitioning of the city to rebuild the crumbling O Street retaining wall. The association working with Dupont Park neighbors, defeated a proposal to erect a cellular monopole at the Penn-Branch shopping center that would have defeated our vistas. We host two major social events during the year, a Christmas Potluck and Carols on the second Tuesday in December (free – just bring a dish to serve at least four or more) and a Spring Dinner Dance, a proven fund-raiser and a reliable good time.

The Annual Membership drive runs from September to December. Through the year, the association welcomes the volunteer efforts of all Penn-Branch residents in carrying out its programs. While its leadership has changed hands many times over the years, the association continues as a stable, cohesive force owing to the time and services freely given by residents.

The PBC/CA is incorporated as a non-profit organization, and is a member of the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations. The By-laws of the association have changed from time-to-time; one significant change allows two votes per household if a two-member household exists.

In 1989, the membership voted unanimously to change the name from the Penn Branch Citizens Association to the Penn Branch Citizens/Civic Association to acknowledge a more diverse tradition of community organization.

The Penn-Branch Citizens / Civic Association, Inc. is “A Community Committed to Excellence” with the goal to create a safe and desirable community in which to live.

Officers- a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer- are elected to one-year terms. A nominating committee appointed by the president solicits a slate of candidates during April, which is presented to the membership and voted on at the May meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor. Newly elected officers are sworn in at the June meeting, and begin serving in September. The president appoints committee chairs. A grass-root network of block captains serves as conduit through which concerns and information are shared between the association and its members. The association also publishes a monthly newsletter.

Our success in accomplishing the association’s goals can only be achieved to the extent that all the neighbors in Penn-Branch participate to ensure that the community we chose to live in remains a community we want to live in.