January 2018

The Million Dollar Grant, and Another Success Story

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

In 2017, Amazon selected Friendship Place to receive a $1 million matching grant. Friendship Place had a deadline of December 31st to raise the matching funds and I am proud to announce that WE DID IT!

Because of people like you, Friendship Place will be able to change the trajectory for even more individuals and families facing homelessness.

As a member of the board and on behalf of the entire Friendship Place family, thank you again for being a part of this extraordinary campaign! And, as always, thank you for being a neighbor and friend who genuinely cares.

Happy Home Success Story: Jeremiah & Diana

“We ended up

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By Shawn McFarland -January 24, 2018 The St. John’s College High School football team was honored in MaxPreps’ Tour of Champions for its accomplishments this past year. (photo courtesy of MaxPreps)

 

The St. John’s College High School football team and girls soccer team were honored on the MaxPreps Tour of Champions for their accomplishments during the 2017 season.

District of Columbia Army National Guard Specialist Jermaine Bowens presented head football coach Joe Casamento and head soccer coach Allison Diaz, along with their respective teams, with Army National Guard national ranking trophies on Jan. 10 during an assembly. The teams also received a banner for their accomplishment.

“The Army National Guard represents teamwork

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  By Susan Bodiker-January 24, 2018 A three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath row house at 2016 Hillyer Place NW is on the market for $2.25M. (photo courtesy of TruPlace)

You don’t have to go very far to find artistic expression in Dupont Circle – and we are not just talking about the Phillips Collection or the many other galleries and cultural venues tucked away on side streets throughout the neighborhood.

It resides in the buildings themselves, from the grand mansions to the only-slightly-less-grand row houses, whose array of architectural styles and interiors are themselves works of art.

The imposing neo-Victorian at 2016 Hillyer Place NW has its own story to tell. Developed by Curtis Justin Hillyer (attorney, silver speculator

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  By Kirk Kramer-January 24, 2018 D.C. marathons, including the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, will have strict parking restrictions moving forward. (photo courtesy of Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Washington.org)  

Clean streets are a desideratum in all cities, but the District government is giving the term a makeover as part of a push to keep people safe during special events.

A new policy, called “Clean Streets,” requires the routes used by marathons and 5Ks in the District be car-free during the races. Residents will now be required to move their cars from streets along the route for events like the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon, coming up on March 10.

The new policy came to light when Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A (Foggy Bottom,

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Last year I celebrated my birthday in Kenya. This year was not so exotic… but memorable nonetheless. It kicked off at La Piquette with the Lunch Bunch on Thursday.

Friday night, the grandkids, Sean and Teagan, along with their parents, Cass and Ryan joined us for dinner to bid farewell to Uncle Rhett, who was returning to Emory, and to wish me a Happy Birthday!

My birthday, on Saturday, was bittersweet as Bill and I drove Rhett to Reagan National. He’s a senior. This is it. Baseball practice began Sunday morning. It was about 38 degrees.

We’re excited about Opening Day of his final season, but not about the game time temperature we’re likely to endure on February 3. Graduation is approaching in May and other than being very proud of my 6’-3”

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What a year! And what a December!

The DC housing market in December (and all of 2017) was remarkable for everyone. Every single month in 2017 boasted record high year-over-year monthly median sale prices since before the recession, and interest rates remained historically low. My sellers benefitted from excellent prices and plenty of competition for their homes, and my buyers were happy to lock in such low mortgage rates.

The following information is based on data from Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. of MarketStats (by ShowingTime) and the December 2017 Bright MLS housing data.

In December, the Washington D.C. Metro’s median home sale price was $420,050. That's 2.4% higher (nearly $10,000) than December 2016. In fact, the all of 2017 was up by the

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  By Susan Bodiker-January 10, 2018 3636 Prospect St. NW is on the market for $4.995 million. (photo courtesy of HomeVisit)  

A river doesn’t exactly run through this Georgetown home, but it comes pretty close.

The white brick row house at 3626 Prospect St. NW has been extensively renovated and reconfigured to focus attention on what is arguably one of the most spectacular views in the city, overlooking the Potomac, the Key Bridge and the glittering towers of Rosslyn, VA.

Built in 1937, the now contemporary home offers approximately 4,400 square feet of living space on five levels and includes four bedrooms, four full and two half-baths, one gas-powered fireplace, wide-plank white oak flooring throughout, four terraces and

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  By Kirk Kramer-January 10, 2018 The project would highlight the Key Bridge's distinctive arches with architectural lighting. (Brian Kapur/The Current/September 2017)

 

Lighting up the Key Bridge at night is fine with Tom Gallas, but he does not want the structure looking like New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

“It is not a party bridge,” Gallas said at the Dec. 7 meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission. “The Key Bridge is the most historic and iconic bridge across the Potomac. It should be respected for what it represents.”

Gallas and the other members of the planning commission provided comments on a concept design for plans to light the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which carries US 29 across the Potomac River from

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  By Kirk Kramer - January 10, 2018 D.C. Water is informing residents to expect to see rising water bills. (photo courtesy of D.C. Water)  

With costly federal mandates in force at the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, officials are warning customers to expect rates to rise until they peak in 2026.

That is according to Tommy Wells, chairman of the D.C. Water board and director of the District’s Department of Energy & Environment. Wells addressed residents at the Nov. 27 meeting of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G (Chevy Chase), where he had been asked to discuss the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC).

This surcharge is intended to offset the costs of rainwater that runs into the city’s storm sewers from

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On Wednesday, December 6, over 40 community members gathered for the Cleveland & Woodley Park Village’s annual holiday party at All Souls Episcopal Church. Attendees enjoyed a delicious variety of homemade food and desserts, with a festive backdrop of live music provided by violinist Steven Natrella and pianist Arthur Smith. The program featured various readings including winter-themed poems by Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, Hanukkah traditions, and the Christmas story from the Gospel of St. Luke. The festivities concluded with a joyous sing-a-long of Hanukkah, Christmas, and wintery songs, including Oh Hanukkah, White Christmas, and Let It Snow.