Who doesn't like bounce houses? See second event!
I got a flyer about two events this weekend at the Gateway Pavilion.
1. On July 4, the Pavilion will be open to the community as a park for picnicking from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. No specific activities are planned. (I find these flyers sometimes understate the amount of activities planned. At the very least, my baby can play in the grass, and we can hide in shade of the big trees there and have a picnic.)
2. On July 5 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, in addition to the monthly Whole Foods market, there is going to be a host of family activities, including moon bounce, face painting, card games, an ice cream food truck, AND a walking tour ! I've been meaning to go on one of the St. Elizabeth walking tours. The walking tour will happen at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Fireworks are NOT allowed. I hate fireworks, so that is a plus in my book.
We are looking forward to these events. We had a blast this Saturday at the Summer Kick-Off event at the Pavilion. There were three enormous bounce houses/water slides. A carnival ride. The kids had an awesome time. Elmo even made an appearance. My baby couldn't stop talking about him. It was a success. I loved seeing kids have a good time.
We need some permanent kid space at St. Elizabeth's! In the meantime, we are enjoying these events.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
I heart 404 Woodcrest Dr SE's kitchen!
This is 404 Woodcrest Dr SE, listed for $379,900, located in the new townhouse community near Ballou in Congress Heights. Three bedrooms AND three bathrooms. How many millennials and babies of millennials can fit in this house? Probably a lot :)
This is what I want my kitchen to look like! If I was to redo my house buying experience, I might reconsider buying a fixer-upper. I like the fixing up part. I just don't have patience with the saving money part to have funds to fix it up with. (That's my impatient millennial-ness kicking in.) Buying a renovated house even if it was more expensive would have been worth it. Some day I aspire to have a nice kitchen like this!
This townhouse is a bit pricier than most places in Congress Heights, but it is brand new, clean and spacious. And the mortgage is still cheaper than renting a one bed apartment in say... Columbia Heights. Mindboggling, isn't it? I just can't get over what a good deal houses in Congress Heights are.
This is what I want my kitchen to look like! If I was to redo my house buying experience, I might reconsider buying a fixer-upper. I like the fixing up part. I just don't have patience with the saving money part to have funds to fix it up with. (That's my impatient millennial-ness kicking in.) Buying a renovated house even if it was more expensive would have been worth it. Some day I aspire to have a nice kitchen like this!
This townhouse is a bit pricier than most places in Congress Heights, but it is brand new, clean and spacious. And the mortgage is still cheaper than renting a one bed apartment in say... Columbia Heights. Mindboggling, isn't it? I just can't get over what a good deal houses in Congress Heights are.
Bright and cheery. Looks nice inside and out. I found this on Zillow here.
GSA unveils plans for DHS headquarters
Not like this is the end all be all or anything, but I think it's interesting to read about the developments that are set to take place in our neighborhood. Apparently, the completion for the next chunk of the Homeland Security project is set for completion in 2017. You can read the whole Washington Business Journal article and see the pictures here.
The General Services Administration has released its first renderings of the Department of Homeland Security's headquarters at the former St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast D.C. as it seeks contractors to renovate the historic Center Building there for the agency's use.
The GSA is proposing to renovate the Center Building, which dates to the late 1800s and is the highest building on the campus, for the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security. The GSA issued a request for qualifications earlier this month for the work, slated to cost between $100 million and $140 million, with completion expected in July 2017.
The project would be the second in a series of DHS consolidations at St. E's, following the Coast Guard's move from Buzzard Point to a new headquarters at the campus last year. The GSA plans to move other DHS agencies to the campus in the future, pending additional funding, an issue that has prompted the agency to explore alternatives including swapping federally owned buildings in exchange for additional renovations.
GSA offers first look at Department of Homeland Security headquarters
Courtesy General Services Administration
The General Services Administration is seeking contractors to renovate the historic Center Building at the St. Elizabeths campus for use by the Department of Homeland Security.
The GSA is proposing to renovate the Center Building, which dates to the late 1800s and is the highest building on the campus, for the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security. The GSA issued a request for qualifications earlier this month for the work, slated to cost between $100 million and $140 million, with completion expected in July 2017.
The project would be the second in a series of DHS consolidations at St. E's, following the Coast Guard's move from Buzzard Point to a new headquarters at the campus last year. The GSA plans to move other DHS agencies to the campus in the future, pending additional funding, an issue that has prompted the agency to explore alternatives including swapping federally owned buildings in exchange for additional renovations.
Things I love to do close to home with my baby
One of the reasons I love Congress Heights is because we are so unbelievably close to downtown DC and other centers of activity. I wanted to highlight things that I love to do close to home with my baby and would like to hear your favorites. Even grown up people things because sometimes we do that too :)
1. The Yards Park. We love attending the Friday evening concerts. This week there's a jazz performance as a part of DC's jazz festival. Did I mention they are FREE? Starts at 6 pm. AND they have a wading pool for kids. Love it.
2. The playground. We have a handful of favorites, namely Turtle Park on 4th St SE on Capitol Hill. They have a bunch of community toys for the babies to play with. But there's some playgrounds we haven't tried out yet. I heard about the pirate ship that was built in/near Anacostia Park. We haven't gone yet.
3. Oxon Hill Farm. Cows, chickens and goats, oh my. My baby would go every week, if we would take him. He loves talking about the cows and the chickens. Plus, the visitor's center has a children's corner with farmhouse toys for indoor play that's nicely air-conditioned for midmorning breaks.
4. Canal Park also in Navy Yard neighborhood. My baby loves the fountains. Also, there is a really shallow wading pool, if you walk one north of the fountains. The whole area is really interesting for my baby. You wouldn't think it would be but my baby loves exploring those blocks.
5. The Museums. My baby loves the Air and Space Museum. He also likes the Native American Museum. They have a really great interactive exhibit for kids of all ages on the third floor. I haven't gone to the Building Museum yet though I've heard its really kid-friendly too.
6. National Harbor. Two different parts of it in particular. First, the "beach" where the water god (what was his name again?) comes out of the sand. Next, the carousel that costs 5 dollars for all day rides, with a playground next door. Also as you've probably noticed, there's a Ben and Jerry's between the beach and carousel. Both momma and baby are happy :)
5. Just going out for a walk. The baby loves taking me out on walks. He knows the way to everything, the playground, the corner store, even the pizzeria.
1. The Yards Park. We love attending the Friday evening concerts. This week there's a jazz performance as a part of DC's jazz festival. Did I mention they are FREE? Starts at 6 pm. AND they have a wading pool for kids. Love it.
2. The playground. We have a handful of favorites, namely Turtle Park on 4th St SE on Capitol Hill. They have a bunch of community toys for the babies to play with. But there's some playgrounds we haven't tried out yet. I heard about the pirate ship that was built in/near Anacostia Park. We haven't gone yet.
3. Oxon Hill Farm. Cows, chickens and goats, oh my. My baby would go every week, if we would take him. He loves talking about the cows and the chickens. Plus, the visitor's center has a children's corner with farmhouse toys for indoor play that's nicely air-conditioned for midmorning breaks.
4. Canal Park also in Navy Yard neighborhood. My baby loves the fountains. Also, there is a really shallow wading pool, if you walk one north of the fountains. The whole area is really interesting for my baby. You wouldn't think it would be but my baby loves exploring those blocks.
5. The Museums. My baby loves the Air and Space Museum. He also likes the Native American Museum. They have a really great interactive exhibit for kids of all ages on the third floor. I haven't gone to the Building Museum yet though I've heard its really kid-friendly too.
6. National Harbor. Two different parts of it in particular. First, the "beach" where the water god (what was his name again?) comes out of the sand. Next, the carousel that costs 5 dollars for all day rides, with a playground next door. Also as you've probably noticed, there's a Ben and Jerry's between the beach and carousel. Both momma and baby are happy :)
5. Just going out for a walk. The baby loves taking me out on walks. He knows the way to everything, the playground, the corner store, even the pizzeria.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Saturday: Water Slides and Family Fun at Gateway
I got a flyer today for a Safe Summer Kick-Off at the Gateway Pavilion for this Saturday, June 28 from noon to 5 pm. There will be water slides, activities, summer camp registration, and refreshments!
I was just complaining how there isn't a kid friendly space on that pavilion :) I guess I spoke to soon.
There really is a need for more family activities nearby. We go to the playground at Sheppard Parkway on MLK and Malcolm X, but every time I go I spend the first 15 minutes cleaning it up. My baby really likes those swings, and I really like the trees in that park, so we make it work.
It would be really cool if there was a splash park or a kid friendly fountain in the neighborhood too. We usually go to the Yards Park or Canal Park to play in the fountains there. So much fun!
In the time being, Saturday's event will likely satisfy the need for fun activities close to home.
I was just complaining how there isn't a kid friendly space on that pavilion :) I guess I spoke to soon.
There really is a need for more family activities nearby. We go to the playground at Sheppard Parkway on MLK and Malcolm X, but every time I go I spend the first 15 minutes cleaning it up. My baby really likes those swings, and I really like the trees in that park, so we make it work.
It would be really cool if there was a splash park or a kid friendly fountain in the neighborhood too. We usually go to the Yards Park or Canal Park to play in the fountains there. So much fun!
In the time being, Saturday's event will likely satisfy the need for fun activities close to home.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Buying in Congress Heights WITH a Baby
Did I mention I have a baby? :)
Part of the discussion about millennials moving out of DC was their desire to raise a family somewhere safe, affordable and with good schools. Why would I, a millennial, buy a house in Congress Heights with a baby in tow?
Part of my calculus on living here with a baby is based on how much I like Congress Heights. Congress Heights' reputation isn't great, but I love it here. I am willing to bet the reality of the neighborhood schools likewise exceeds its reputation. I'm sure we will find committed teachers, working their butts off in our neighborhood school, and other parents and students, who are also committed to getting an education in spite of the reputation.
We are going to try our hand at the school lottery and all that good stuff. But we will attend the neighborhood school, when we don't win the lottery, and I am sure we will find likeminded neighbors, who are also interested in ensuring their children get the best education possible.
I know everyone wants the best for their kids. Are there any readers out there who can share their experience with MLK Elementary or some of the other neighboring schools? I'd be interested to hear more about them!
Part of the discussion about millennials moving out of DC was their desire to raise a family somewhere safe, affordable and with good schools. Why would I, a millennial, buy a house in Congress Heights with a baby in tow?
Part of my calculus on living here with a baby is based on how much I like Congress Heights. Congress Heights' reputation isn't great, but I love it here. I am willing to bet the reality of the neighborhood schools likewise exceeds its reputation. I'm sure we will find committed teachers, working their butts off in our neighborhood school, and other parents and students, who are also committed to getting an education in spite of the reputation.
We are going to try our hand at the school lottery and all that good stuff. But we will attend the neighborhood school, when we don't win the lottery, and I am sure we will find likeminded neighbors, who are also interested in ensuring their children get the best education possible.
I know everyone wants the best for their kids. Are there any readers out there who can share their experience with MLK Elementary or some of the other neighboring schools? I'd be interested to hear more about them!
Farmer's Markets: Gateway vs THEARC, Part 2
So I went to the Ward 8 Farmer's Market at THEARC for the second time this summer on Saturday and bought some delicious cucumbers, Swiss chard, tomatoes, cabbage, apples, beets, lettuce, etc. I nearly filled up my fridge with $25. Last, last week I bought strawberries and blueberries as well. Awesome!
Advantages:
-Nice variety of local produce. Granted both the farmer's market at Gateway and THEARC are small, but the one at THEARC has a slightly larger mix of vendors. It shows how even a couple more stalls can add to the vibrancy of a farmer's market. Plus, you can check out the garden where THEARC grows the produce they sell at their stand. So you know it's local.
-Every Saturday! No need to remember when it happens. It takes place even when it's drizzling like last week, making it a dependable place to get your fresh produce. That's the way it should be.
-Playground. There's a big playground for the kids to run around in. Put dad into the nicely fenced-in playground with the baby, and you're free to go shopping.
-A familiar face. I was going to say I didn't recognize anyone at the market because it was in a part of the ward I usually do not visit, but then I remembered I saw Nate there, who wouldn't recognize me if he ran into me again, and I don't know how he would feel about me namedropping like this. :) But I will because he works for a good cause--cleaning up Sheppard Park, the National Park in our backyard, home to bald eagles. He is also apparently in charge of farmer markets! What a cool job.
Disadvantages:
-Farther away. For us, it requires a drive. There's probably a bus that goes in that direction. But usually we just wait for my husband to wake up for him to take us. I'd be up for the mile and a half walk, but my baby probably wouldn't like it. We walked to Giant once, and that was more than enough.
-Located in a parking lot. I admit I've been spoiled with awesome farmer's markets growing up. So this point is petty, but it is so nice and also cooler when farmer's markets are held in places other than parking lots. See my previous post about the Pavilion farmer's market and shade.
Another nice thing about both farmer's markets. Everyone is really nice AND they make it easy to pay. At many farmer's markets, I've been to vendors only take cash. But unfortunately I almost never carry around cash, because I have a sweet tooth and would spend all my money at the vending machine, if given the opportunity. So it's nice when vendors make it easy to buy things.
Farmer's Markets: Gateway vs THEARC, Part 1
There's a couple of things that really excite me in this world. Farmer's markets and good fresh food are two of them! I attend both farmer's markets that I know of in Ward 8. The one at THEARC and the one at Gateway Pavilion. If there's more, please let me know. I would love to check them out.
I like them both for different reasons. In this post I'm going to examine the advantages and disadvantages of both farmer's markets, starting with the one at Gateway Pavilion.
Advantages:
-Proximity! It is very close to my house. I can walk there with my baby, and my baby enjoys the walk.
-Scenic. I've been to MANY farmer's markets in my day. My favorite remains to be in my hometown, which is held in a park, but I definitely enjoy the space at the Pavilion and think it offers a nice backdrop for a farmer's market.
-Shade. I'm probably more sensitive to the sun than most to my husband's chagrin. (I fainted during my honeymoon due to the sun.) With DC's extremely hot summers and all, I truly appreciate the protection from the elements. The market is held in the community space underneath the balcony. You know what I'm talking about.
-Friends. In addition to my neighbors, I ran into a childhood friend at the Pavilion. He was one of my best friends in 7th grade from the Midwest. No joke! Really cool guy, who runs the Mobile Market, a school bus that's loaded with local produce. Apparently, the Mobile Market shows up frequently throughout the neighborhood. I haven't stopped by during their weekday visits, but apparently they are at the Pavilion every Thursday 11am-1pm as well, according to their schedule here. (Can't wait to stop by!)
Disadvantages
-Only once a month. I have to put it on my calendar otherwise I forget that the market is taking place. It happens on the first Saturday of every month.
-More traditional food than local produce/farmer's market fare. Kudos to Whole Foods for setting up shop! It's a great start. They have a variety of unexpected products like shrimp and fresh fish. And sometimes my baby just wants a banana, which they sell! However, it feels more like an outdoors grocery store than a farmer's market. We do need more grocery stores in Ward 8.... but at a farmer's market, I'd appreciate seeing more variety with more local vendors and produce. I bet this will get better over time.
-No playground. During the winter, there was a family room with games when the Pavilion hosted the ice slide. Something like that for the farmer's market would be wonderful. I bet KidFriendlyDC would be all over that. Now that I've said that aloud I'll recommend it to the nice lady in charge next time I'm there.
One of the best things about both farmer's markets:
-No lines! I can't count the number of times I've stood in a extremely LONG line at Safeway, Trader Joe's and especially Giant. How refreshing is it to do your grocery shopping outdoors with no wait!
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Cheap Rain Barrels, Free Rainscaping!
What is the catch? It's a pretty popular program so there is a wait. I waited 2 months to be contacted by the agency. AND you do have to contribute, I think, $100 for the landscaping, a certain amount of money for the trees and $45 for each rain barrel, but that is a bargain for the work/installation that goes into this sort of thing.
I signed up during the winter, and someone came out for an "rain audit" a couple months later. A few days after that I had an appointment with a NGO that installs rain barrels. We are now the proud owners of two rain barrels! $45 a piece. I have no business interest in this. I just thought it was really cool that a DC agency exists to basically give out rain barrels and landscaping. Beats paying for and constructing bigger sewage pipes and good for the water bill for anyone out watering their garden. I've never been so excited for it to rain before. :)
Our neighborhood is beautiful, but a little more attention can't hurt. One of my neighbors I told is scheduled to get a rain barrel as well. I'm sure others would appreciate some free landscaping/rain barrels as well. The program is called RiverSmart. I found out about it from HillRag. More info can be found at http://ddoe.dc.gov/
Why I bought in Congress Heights
By way of introduction, let me tell you how we came to live in Congress Heights.
So I got a job to the surprise of everyone I know and to the enormous relief of my parents. I previously had plans to be a student for life. My new job was in DC. We were initially overwhelmed with the number and variety of neighborhoods to choose from. In true millennial fashion, I wanted to live somewhere affordable close to my work, a farmer's market and a coffee shop. My real terms for buying a house were a little bit narrower: I want to live somewhere I could afford and be close to my job. Meanwhile, we lived in Navy Yard, paying way too much money for a one bedroom apartment.
My first condition did a good job narrowing down the list of places to live. There was basically only housing stock east of the Anacostia River at the price range we were looking at. Fatefully enough, my new job was located in Fortress America east of the river.
My husband added his own condition. He wanted to live in a single family home, after a crazy neighbor incident we had in graduate student housing. We had a neighbor, who used to complain to building management the moment we entered our apartment that we were making too much noise. She would come to ask us to be quieter in the middle of the day in her pajamas. I think she used to sleep during the day, and my guess is she was a light sleeper at that. I feel for her, of course. There are never enough hours in the day for graduate students. For that reason, my husband wanted no shared walls and bit of a buffer in the form of a yard, just in case. That meant no row house for me, sigh, despite me loving the quintessential form houses take in DC.
So with those two limiting conditions--cheap and single family home--I instantly found my dream house in Congress Heights. An adorable two story, four bedroom pre-war brick home with curved arches in the entryway, large front yard and backyard plus a basement for a little bit over $200,000. Absolutely charming. We kept looking around because it was a little over budget. Then the owners dropped the price, and my real estate agent recommended we might as well make an offer with our desired price.
We still ended buying "over budget." By that I mean, my mortgage is now $500 dollars less than what we were paying in Navy Yard for a one bedroom apartment. Extremely affordable compared to the rest of DC.
I was aware of the bad reputation Congress Heights had when we were house shopping. We drove around in Congress Heights several times before purchasing and didn't see anything in particular that dissuaded us. To the contrary, I saw a lot of parents walking with their children, which I thought was nice change from Navy Yard, where there was hardly a child in sight. Despite our frequent visits, the bad reputation still concerned us. The houses were so cheap we thought to ourselves it MUST be for a reason!
I wanted to start writing a neighborhood blog as soon as I moved in, because I liked it so much from the start, but I thought to myself there must be something I'm missing. I've got to give it some time, you know, let it set in. Well, here we are two years later still crazy in love with our house and the neighborhood. As much as I love Congress Heights, I recognize there's some problems with the neighborhood as with most urban neighborhoods. And, of course, an old house, as beautiful as it is, has plenty of things that need to get fixed/would look much better if they were renovated.
But, by and large, I love my house and my neighborhood, and I tell everyone I meet about where I live. I love the strange looks it garners, and I love offering an alternative interpretation of a place people have likely never visited but have strongly preconceived notions about. Thank you, neighbors, for your warm hospitality and your fierce sense of community. I hope to stay here for as long as you'll have me.
So I got a job to the surprise of everyone I know and to the enormous relief of my parents. I previously had plans to be a student for life. My new job was in DC. We were initially overwhelmed with the number and variety of neighborhoods to choose from. In true millennial fashion, I wanted to live somewhere affordable close to my work, a farmer's market and a coffee shop. My real terms for buying a house were a little bit narrower: I want to live somewhere I could afford and be close to my job. Meanwhile, we lived in Navy Yard, paying way too much money for a one bedroom apartment.
My first condition did a good job narrowing down the list of places to live. There was basically only housing stock east of the Anacostia River at the price range we were looking at. Fatefully enough, my new job was located in Fortress America east of the river.
My husband added his own condition. He wanted to live in a single family home, after a crazy neighbor incident we had in graduate student housing. We had a neighbor, who used to complain to building management the moment we entered our apartment that we were making too much noise. She would come to ask us to be quieter in the middle of the day in her pajamas. I think she used to sleep during the day, and my guess is she was a light sleeper at that. I feel for her, of course. There are never enough hours in the day for graduate students. For that reason, my husband wanted no shared walls and bit of a buffer in the form of a yard, just in case. That meant no row house for me, sigh, despite me loving the quintessential form houses take in DC.
So with those two limiting conditions--cheap and single family home--I instantly found my dream house in Congress Heights. An adorable two story, four bedroom pre-war brick home with curved arches in the entryway, large front yard and backyard plus a basement for a little bit over $200,000. Absolutely charming. We kept looking around because it was a little over budget. Then the owners dropped the price, and my real estate agent recommended we might as well make an offer with our desired price.
We still ended buying "over budget." By that I mean, my mortgage is now $500 dollars less than what we were paying in Navy Yard for a one bedroom apartment. Extremely affordable compared to the rest of DC.
I was aware of the bad reputation Congress Heights had when we were house shopping. We drove around in Congress Heights several times before purchasing and didn't see anything in particular that dissuaded us. To the contrary, I saw a lot of parents walking with their children, which I thought was nice change from Navy Yard, where there was hardly a child in sight. Despite our frequent visits, the bad reputation still concerned us. The houses were so cheap we thought to ourselves it MUST be for a reason!
I wanted to start writing a neighborhood blog as soon as I moved in, because I liked it so much from the start, but I thought to myself there must be something I'm missing. I've got to give it some time, you know, let it set in. Well, here we are two years later still crazy in love with our house and the neighborhood. As much as I love Congress Heights, I recognize there's some problems with the neighborhood as with most urban neighborhoods. And, of course, an old house, as beautiful as it is, has plenty of things that need to get fixed/would look much better if they were renovated.
But, by and large, I love my house and my neighborhood, and I tell everyone I meet about where I live. I love the strange looks it garners, and I love offering an alternative interpretation of a place people have likely never visited but have strongly preconceived notions about. Thank you, neighbors, for your warm hospitality and your fierce sense of community. I hope to stay here for as long as you'll have me.