Eastland Gardens Civic Association

 

4010 Lane Place NE
Washington, DC 20019

Announcements

  • Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center Programs, PSAs, Civic Association Meetings, Garden Club Meetings Relocate to Kenilworth Elementary; Senior Programs Relocated to Fort Davis Community Center; Youth Programs Relocated to Cesar Chavez Public Charter School

    While the Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center undergoes renovation Fall 2009 through Summer 2011, all programs will meet at the neighboring Kenilworth Elementary School located at 1300 44th St. NE. Click here for Rec Center programs. ALL senior programs have been temporarily located to Fort Davis Community Center located at 1400 41st St, NE. Ohter programs are now at Caesar Chavez Middle School located at 3701 Hayes St., NE

  • MPD 6D Wants to Come to YOUR House for Coffee, Tea and YOU! Host a Talk and Tea and Get to Know Your MPD - and Have them Get to Know YOU!

    Eastland Gardens to be featured in pictorial book: Hand in your photographs to be included

    The Eastland Gardens Flower Club is publishing a pictorial book and we’re asking YOU to submit pictures of days past: Family gatherings, memorable events, newspaper articles, sporting events & anything else that occurred in Eastland Gardens.

    The book, published by Arcadia Publishing, will highlight YOUR community and join a series of historic keepsake books.

    Please call to set up a time & place to meet to pick up your photos and/or discuss
    your memories. (We will handle your photos with care, scan  and return them immediately.
    You can also scan photos in high resolution and email to webmaster@eastlandgardensdc.org)

    You can also contact:  Javier Barker 202-450-3155 or j58barker@yahoo.com or Regina King 202-388-1323 or rking24289@aol.com

     

    Public Safety Town Hall Brings Out Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Surrounding Communities February 3.

    WARD 7 COUNCILMEMBER YVETTE ALEXANDER HOSTED A PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING FEATURING MPD CHIEF LANIER EARLIER. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL POLICE DISTRICT, CLICK HERE.

     

  • In Response to the Increase in Eastland Gardens Burglaries

    Message from Lt. Chase of MPD in response to questions posed by Eastland Gardens Civic Association President, Greg Rhett:

    Good Evening Community:

     I would like to take this opportunity to address the questions and concerns submitted by Mr. Greg Rhett.
     
    1. My team is currently implementing a burglary suppression plan to address this offense.  I cannot go into detail regarding the plan, however, I will keep the community informed of the progress.
     
    2. Currently there are 30 PSA officers assigned to PSA 601.  Majority of the officers work the evening and the midnight shifts. 
     
    3. In the month of November 2009, the Sixth District currently logged 39 reported burglaries.  Compared to other PSA’s, they are broken down as follows.
     
    PSA 601-9-unusually high
    PSA 602-7
    PSA 603-7
    PSA 604-7
    PSA 605-4
    PSA 606-1
    PSA 607-4
     
    4. The Sixth District Detectives are currently checking area pawn shops for stolen items.  Any reported stolen property recovered will be confiscated and return to the owners as quickly as we can, pending the investigation.       
     
    5. Detective Peter Shaw has been assigned to investigate the burglaries in PSA 601.  He can be reached at 698-0970.
     
    6. There has been a subject recently released back to the community from a previously burglary prison term.  His name will be submitted with evidence for forensic comparisons.
     
    7. The patterns as you well may know indicates that the suspects know when the victims are not home and the offenses occurred within a few blocks of one another.  There were some large items stolen such as AC units and very large television in many cases.  This may indicate that a vehicle(s) is being used to make good their escape.  So please be vigilant of suspicious vehicles in your community.   Although I cannot state that the community is specifically being targeted, clearly the suspect (s) is familiar with the surroundings.
     
    8.  Positive hits on forensic evidence will be followed up by the detectives. 
     
    9. During the month of July of this year, there were two burglary arrest made in the Kenilworth Community.   
     

    Things a Burglar Won't Tell You

    1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

    2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little 

    easier.

    3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste. And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

    4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

    5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

    6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

    7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

    8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

    9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

    10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

    11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

    12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

    13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.Com .)

    8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

    1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

    2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

    3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

    4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

    5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

    6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

    7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

    8.. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in

     

  • Block Captains Needed

    We live in a vibrant, beautiful community filled with our beloved seniors as well as a growing mix of  young families and professionals. Not everyone uses or has access to the Internet and email. So, we need block captains to help spread the word about what’s happening in the community. Block captains’ responsibilities include: 
    • Soliciting participation in the civic association;
    • Monitoring group homes on your block(s);
    • Collecting the annual EGCA dues ($5 per member); and
    • Informing neighbors of upcoming/future activities and events.

    Contact Thelma Jackson, Chair of our Block Captains, at 202.396.7581.


    “Service is the rent we pay to be living.  It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.” — Marian Wright Edelman 

  • EGCA Board Elections Held. Congratulations! A Message from President Rhett

    Greetings Neighbors,

    Congratulations to all new and re-elected EGCA Officers! 

    Thanks to all members who made the time to participate in this important bi-annual organizational activity. 

    A special thank you to Ms. Ruby Nash, who at 90 years old, and one of our few living original Eastland Gardens homeowners (living out here for more than 60 years), thought it important enough to come out, share her thoughts, and participate, even while fighting through the pain of an earlier dental appointment!  Now THAT'S Commitment!

    Thanks also to Commissioner Sharita Slayton for managing and presiding over an inclusive and transparent election process. 

    Your EGCA Officers for 2009 - 2011:

    President - Greg Rhett

    1st Vice President - Eileen McConnell

    2nd Vice President - Javier Barker

    Communications Secretary - Zerline Hughes

    Financial Secretary Charlita McMillen

    Treasurer - Thelma Jackson

    Sergeant-at-Arms - Thelma Jackson

    Parliamentarian - Donna Burris

    Archivist - Javier Barker

    Chaplain - W. Jay Vann, Jr.

    Please remember, our next meeting is November 17th, at 6:30pm, at the Kenilworth Elementary School (1300 44th St., NE)

    Please remember to bring your $5.00 for your annual EGCA dues.  Your Association will only be as strong and as effective as You make it!  Your participation and input are extremely important!  The direction in which we will collectively lead your Association will be determined by You! 

    On behalf of our EGCA Officers, I'd like to say that all of us are very humbled and appreciative of your show of support and vote of confidence in our volunteer efforts.  We will continue our focus on being inclusive, accountable, and transparent in all that we do on behalf of this wonderful community!

    Ladies and Gentlemen, our Civic Association is 74 years old and still going strong!  Our Ancestors who established this organization in 1935 would be very proud of us all!

    We're all in this together!

    Thanks

    Greg

    www.eastlandgardensdc.org

  • Aquatic Gardens Hosts Events for Kids, Art Exhibit

    The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is hauling summer back out of the closet and hosting free exhibits and play time!

    Artist Mikhail Kononov (www.kononov.ch/ArtistMenu00.htm) www.kononov.ch/ArtistMenu00.htm) www.kononov.ch/ArtistMenu00.htm) is an internationally recognized artist who will have an exhibit of the garden flowers as he sees them through the month of November.  We really want the community to come out and see this exhibit. It will be in the Helen Fowler Room from 8-3:30 every day except Thanksgiving when we close.

    Also on Sundays from 1-2 we are doing kiddie art for the early learner set with pipe cleaners, pompoms, lots of glue and googly eyes and construction paper.

    For more information, all Kathleen Bucco, Park Ranger (202) 426-6905

     

    Operation Fix-It Comes to Eastland Gardens

    The Mayor's Operation Fix It team has made its way to Eastland Gardens, cleaning up the community in September. Click here to see the progress!

    See something that needs help? Contact staff by clicking here.

    The two-fold mission of the Community Services component of the MOCRS is to rebuild citizen trust in government by ensuring citizens have a voice in setting city and community priorities; and to deliver high quality services in every neighborhood through multi-agency collaboration.

    The Outreach and Services Specialist (OSS) works with residents to identify and prioritize problem areas in a given ward.  In order to make a problem area clean, safe, and sustainable for residents, it is important that the community be involved in improving the area. The OSS then coordinates with Core Team agencies to develop "workplans" that set specific tasks, goals, and timelines for each agency to tackle the neighborhood issues.

    Problem areas are classified as “Crime Reduction Hot Spots” or as “Persistent Problem Areas” (PPA). Through Mayor Fenty’s  “Operation Fix It” program, the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services works hands-on with other agencies to bring remedy to such problem areas.  

    Operation Fix It 
    365 Days of Constituent-Focused Problem Solving

     “Operation Fix It” is Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s multi-agency initiative aimed at abating areas where crime, blight, and compliance issues require participation from more than one DC Government agency. “Fix Its” are coordinated weekly by the Outreach and Services Specialists and cover a 2-3 block radius with services including graffiti removal, street cleaning, alley repair, weed trimming, illegal dumping, abandoned auto removal, building inspection and much more. "Operation Fix-It" aims to improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and patrons.

    To schedule a Fix-It, please contact your Ward's Outreach and Sevices Specialist.

    Fixt-It Schedule

    Ward 1: Wednesday, 10am – 12pm
    Ward 2: Wednesday, 1pm – 3pm
    Ward 3: Monday 12pm – 2pm
    Ward 4: Thursday, 9am-11am
    Ward 5:  Monday, 9am- 11am
    Ward 6: Tuesday, 9am – 11 pm
    Ward 7: Friday, 10am-12pm
    Ward 8: Tuesday, 12pm – 2pm

     

  • Clark Ray announces intent to run for City Council in Eastland Gardens

    At the home of Candace and Greg Rhett, President of the Eastland Gardens Civic Association, Clark Ray announced his intent to run for City Council. During a meet and greet held in July, he explained the need for better schools and a better government, and vowed to help strive for a better D.C. and a better Ward 7. 


  • Metro Crash Victim’s Family to Hold Community Candlelight Vigil For LaVonda “Nikki” King Loving Mother, Daughter and Friend to All

    Who:           LaVonda “Nikki” King, Victim of the Washington DC Metro Crash
    What            White Candlelight Vigil
    When:         Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:30PM
    Where:         Kenilworth Parkside Community Recreation Center
                        4300 Anacostia Avenue, NE, Washington, DC  20019

         Cited as the deadliest train crash in Metro history, Monday’s rush-hour collision between two transit trains left 9 dead including community-admired LaVonda King.  Affectionately known as “Nikki”, King was on train 112 as she commuted from work to pick up her young children from daycare.
          On Thursday at 7:30pm, King’s family will host a White Candlelight Vigil in honor of Ms. King at the Kenilworth Parkside Community Recreation Center.  The all-white candle vigil will give those mourning the loss of the young mother an opportunity to share their feelings and to connect with others affected by her untimely death.  The family graciously extended an invitation to the community and other families who suffered the loss of loved ones during Monday’s disaster.
    While investigators continue to probe=2 0site for the cause of the crash, King family members and friends continue to mourn the loss of the vibrant 23-year old.  “Nikki was the epicenter of the family,” states King’s Aunt Darlene Stukes.  “This is a great loss for all of us and she will, without a doubt, be truly missed,” continues Stukes.
    King was at the threshold of her entrepreneurial career when she died on Monday.  As the owner of the hair salon “LaVonda House of Beauty” located in District Heights, MD, King celebrated her grand opening last Friday and joyfully commemorated the shop’s first client -- King’s own mother.  As depicted by her commitment to open the salon, King was regarded as the Fashionista of style with a specialty in hair, make-up and fashion.
                King leaves behind 2 young sons; a 2-year old and a 3-year old who are currently in the care of King’s mother.
     
    Contact Darlene Rowe Stukes 202 449 0477

    The Family would like to invite members of the community to participate in the vigil to celebrate the Life of Ms. LaVonda “Nikki” King.

    [Please Bring a White Candle and Dixie Cup]

    Little League Basketball Celebrates Season, Coach Johnson's Dedication

     The Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center Little League Basketball program had its annual awards banquet on Saturday... more than 100 athletes, their coaches, and families attended. Eastland Gardens Civic Association President, Greg Rhett submitted a letter of commendation and appreciation to Sandra Johnson for her 24 years as the center's most successful sports coach. Click here to read letter.

     

  • Eastland Gardens Featured in Historic Preservation Newsletter

    The spring edition of  Landmarks, a quarterly publication of the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office, features an article that mentions Eastland Gardens and the DC Community Heritage Project. Click here to read and find out more or go to: http://planning.dc.gov/planning/cwp/view,a,1284,q,570832.asp and look under “HPO Guides, Reports, and Publications.”


  • Ward 7 Rallies for Benning Road Station Development

    Notes offered by Khaliq Elhillali
    ANC 7C Commissioner, Chair

    Click here for media coverage: DCmud blog;  Washington Business Journal


    "A very quick recap of the meeting last night (Wed, Apr 22)  regarding the Benning Rd station development for those who were unable to attend:


    Last night at Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center, the Community Coalition meeting with DC Office of Property Management Director Robin-Eve Jasper was overall successful.  Residents of the community came out in significant numbers to voice their concerns regarding the decision of the DC Office of Property Management (DCOPM) in not moving CFSA in a building that will be built at the site. Having CFSA in Ward 7 would have possibly generated a huge amount of revenue not only for the District, but primarily for Ward 7. Mrs. Jasper indicated that the main reason why CFSA will not be moving to Ward 7 was that the District located assets (locations) already owned/leased that would accommodate CFSA without signing a new lease at a new location. The decision was driven by cutting over-head and the current National economic climate. It would make no sense for the District to relocate the agency to a new site with a new lease if they already have space at a

    location that will suffice.


    CM Alexander was present and echoed the concerns and frustrations of the residents. She urged the Director to look into other DC agencies that will have their lease up in the next few years to see the possibility of those agencies relocating to Ward 7. Mrs. Jasper indicated she will provide the information and look toward providing updates on the Benning Rd station development to the ANCs (mainly 7C and 7D) and they will provide the updates to the residents via list serves and public meetings.


    Next steps: Greg Rhett indicated the next steps will be outlined in another community meeting that will be happening soon. Information on the time, date and location of that meeting will be forthcoming.


    Again, this is just a short update of the meeting. I will post any other information I get regarding this concern as I get it."

     

  • EASTLAND GARDENS RESIDENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND VOTE FOR HOPE, CHANGE NOVEMBER 4, 2008!
    Residents Cast Their Vote in an Historic Election


    AND THE WINNERS ARE:

    PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

    Barack Obama – Illinois           Democratic

    Joe Biden – Delaware

     

    DELEGATE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

    Eleanor Holmes Norton            Democratic

     

    AT-LARGE MEMBER OF THE DC COUNCIL (You get 2 picks)

    Michael A. Brown                    Independent

    Kwame R. Brown                    Democratic

     

    WARD 7 MEMBER OF THE DC COUNCIL

    Yvette M. Alexander                Democratic

     

    WARD 7 MEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

     Dorothy Douglas

     

    ANC COMMISSIONERS

    Sharita Slayton / Willie Ross

  • Wednesday, Feb. 3, PSA Meeting; Come Talk About the Safety of Eastland Gardens!! TAKE ACTION!

  • Mayor Adrian Fenty Attends, Addresses Eastland Gardens Civic Association, Residents

    Mayor Adrian Fenty attended the Eastland Gardens Civic Association meeting in October 2008 - his second visit since he took office in 2007. He addressed a standing-room only crowd of residents and government employees on his goals for 2009 and how Eastland Gardens fits into the District's strategic plan. Residents asked questions, offered accolades and voiced concerns as the Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Metropolitan Police and local developers were in attendance. ANC Commissioner and Ward Councilor Sharita Slayton and Yvette Alexander were also in attendance.

     "We are now committed and energized," said Mayor Fenty. "We are ready to move forward!"

    Other areas of community concern included class size at local Kenilworth Elementary School, the SmartBike program and abandoned vehicles in the neighborhood.

    The mayor's efforts were applauded for the Department of Transportation's implementation of more than a dozen new speed humps, newly painted crosswalks and traffic signs on Anacostia Ave. NE.

     

     

     The Eastland Gardens Civic Association thanks Mayor Fenty for his continued dedication!

     

     

  • Zion Baptist Church of Eastland Gardens Celebrates 100 Years

    Zion Baptist Church of Eastland Gardens located at 1234 Kenilworth Ave. NE celebrates its 100th church anniversary, and the 2nd pastoral anniversary of Pastor Keith Kitchen. Services begin Sunday September 28 at 11am featuring guest minister Dr. James T. Murphy from Greter Little Zion Baptist Church. the annual banquet will be held at 4pm at The Camelot located at 13091 Central Ave. Upper Marlboro, MD. Donation is $60. Nightly servies will be held Monday Sept. 29 through Friday Oct.2009  3 at 7pm. Souvenir booklet ads are being sold to send your messages to the church. Email sharon.durbin@earthlink.net for more information. Click here to view the entire announcement.

  • Eastland Gardens is on the District's African American Historic Trails Database

    Eastland Gardens community is on the map! Thanks to Javier Barker, Regina King and Zerline Hughes Jennings, Eastland Gardens has been chosen as one of Washington, D.C.'s official African American Historic Trails under the Cultural Tourism D.C. designation. Due to Eastland Gardens' many homes having been built by African-American architects, the community will be featured on the Historic Trails database, brochure and Web site. For more information click here and go to culturaltourismdc.org. 

  • Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center Renovation Update

    DCPR and Bell Architects have May 2008 updated plans and cost estimates that fit the project's budget and resource goals and community's needs and requests. Contact Rochelle Frazier Gray (rochelle.fraziergray@longandfoster.com) and Greg Rhett (202.388.1532 / jrhett3009@aol.com) to hear and see the latest or go to the Rec Center to view renderings posters. Keep up to date on this important Eastland Gardens project by returning here for updates and notices and attend the May 20 General Meeting.  Click here to get draft renderings and budgets to be discussed

  • A Special Thanks to All those Who Participated in the Eastland Gardens Civic Association/Department of Parks & Recreation "Meet, Greet & Eat"Celebration

    The Eastland Gardens community celebrated Meet, Greet & Eat - a community-wide summer celebration and cookout for the entire family from 6 to 9pm Friday August 1st with hand dancing, family swimming, poolside entertainment and grilled snacks at the Rec. The Eastland Gardens community. Residents and their family and friends participated in the fun as volunteers cooked, decorated and planned a fun summer evening. A special thanks for Frito-Lay for donating chips for the event.

      
        




     

  • New, Comprehensive Ward Seven Meetings Resource

    Click here to see a new, comprehensive calendar of the various groups that meet on behalf of Ward 7, like the ANC meetings, Ward 7 Arts Collaborative, the police advisory councils and more! The list was compiled by Julius Ware of the Ward 7 Business Professional Association.

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4010 Lane Place NE
Washington, DC 20019