President’s Message
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By Eric Langenbacher, president@burleith.org
Fall—dare I say, our first post-pandemic fall—is upon us. The amount of traffic and people parking in and around our neighborhood certainly makes it seem that we are back to normal. It is heartening to see all of the students at our local schools back in the neighborhood.
The BCA has several up-coming events. First, we will have our annual children’s Halloween party on Sunday, October 30 from 2:00–4:30 pm at the Tot Llot on 35th and S Streets. This is always a lot of fun for the little ones with some games, treats, and, most importantly, an opportunity to show off costumes. My profuse thanks go to Erica Schreffler and Massa Dunnaville for organizing the festivities. We are also continuing our recent tradition with our third annual Halloween Decorating Contest, which will be judged on the evening of Sunday, October 30. Winners will be announced shortly after Halloween and the gift-card prizes will be distributed later that week.
On November 3rd from 7–9 pm (socializing beginning at 6:45) we will conduct the BCA annual meeting in-person for the first time since 2019 at the Washington International School on 36th Street. The Board has decided that masking is optional, but encouraged. We have a great roster of confirmed and invited speakers including Mayor Muriel Bowser, MPD Second District Commander Bedlion, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, ANC representative Kishan Putta, and representatives from the university and hospital. BCA members will also vote on the 2023 BCA Board, whose bios can be found in the soon-to-be-delivered edition of the Burleith Bell.
A big agenda item will be to discuss the various activities we are planning for 2023: Burleith’s Centennial. A team is already planning for a Winter Gala in March or April likely somewhere on Georgetown’s campus. We will be selling tickets as part of our fundraising initiatives. In addition to a ramped-up summer picnic, we are also envisioning a cocktail reception hopefully at a mansion/garden in the vicinity. We are also hosting a green/environmental initiative and would like to sponsor some welcome signs at various entrances to the neighborhood. All of this will necessitate many volunteers and much fundraising. I am happy to report that the Burleith Community Fund (BCF) has agreed to be a conduit for donations, which means that all donations will be tax deductible. I will present a very preliminary and rough budget at the annual meeting for all of these extraordinary activities.
To round off the year, we will have our semi-annual community clean-up on Saturday, November 5, 9–11 am. As always, we will meet at the entrance to Ellington Field at 38th and R Streets. Thanks to Janice Sims and Georgetown University for organizing. Then, in late December we will have our annual Holiday Decoration Contest. Please check your emails for more details on those activities.
I would like to remind everyone that it will soon be leaf collection season. Please rake your leaves into a pile by your tree box. Apparently, the District will not pick up bagged leaves this year. Crews should come through the neighborhood the week after Thanksgiving. And once we get snow, please remember that it is each homeowner’s duty to shovel the sidewalks adjacent to your property within 24 hours of a storm ending. As I have mentioned before, many of the green trash bins are still in poor shape and are attractive to rats and other vermin. Please contact 311 to request a new lid for free. It is also useful for you to make sure that the lid is closed after trash is picked up. Otherwise, they will fill with water and breed mosquitoes.
As for other neighborhood issues, there has been no additional information or movement on plans to renovate Ellington Field and only slow progress on the Jelleff Recreation Center. We will report back as soon as we hear anything. Hopefully, the project to replace water mains on R Street (and parts of 38th Street and Reservoir Road) will be completed soon. We are closely monitoring various plans from DDOT and the council that might affect traffic patterns and parking in and around the neighborhood. Finally, we are pleased with the progress made regarding litter issues in Burleith as a result of the recent agreement that the BCA negotiated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Please continue to report any problems to us so that we can remain vigilant.
Congratulations to our local elementary school, Hyde-Addison, for winning the DCPS Standing Ovation Award and a $10,000 prize! There will be a prospective family open house on December 15.
If you are not a member of the BCA or if your membership has lapsed, please consider joining/renewing your membership: Otherwise, I hope to see you at the annual meeting and at the various events planned for the Burleith Centennial.