President’s Message

By Eric Langenbacher, president@burleith.org

I hope everyone has been enjoying the fabulous fall weather. I would like to begin this message by mentioning several up-coming BCA-sponsored events.

First, the annual Halloween party for kids will take place from 2–4 pm, Sunday, October 29, at the Washington International School’s playground off of 36th Street. Oriented towards younger children, the event will feature refreshments, activities, and, of course, an opportunity to show off this year’s costumes. Big thanks to Erica Schreffler for organizing and to WIS for hosting. 

Second, we will once again repeat our Halloween decoration contest. Judging will be on October 30 and 31 with winners announced a few days later. First prize will be a gift card of $50, and two second prizes will get $25 each. 

Third, the Annual Meeting of the Burleith Citizens Association (centennial edition) will be on Thursday, November 2, at the Georgetown Village Square located in the old Fillmore/Corcoran building at 1801 35th Street NW, Suite 102. (Please note the change in venue from an earlier message). The entrance is at the back of the building off the parking lot. The meeting will be from 7–9 pm (check-in and socializing 6:30 pm). Confirmed guest speakers include Mayor Muriel Bowser, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and ANC representative Kishan Putta. There will also be presentations from the police, Georgetown University’s Office of Neighborhood Life, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, which is very close to opening its new surgical pavilion. We will also review the various centennial activities of the BCA, including the on-going initiative to install welcome signs, perhaps part of a new beautification committee. Socializing and check-in from 6:30 to 7:00 will include beverages and snacks. BCA members will also vote on the 2024 slate of officers. Detailed information will be distributed soon via email and in the October issue of the Burleith Bell. I am deeply grateful to Georgetown Village and the S&R Foundation for offering this beautiful space for our celebratory centennial meeting.

Finally, our fall community clean-up in conjunction with Georgetown University’s Office of Neighborhood Life will be on Saturday, November 4, from 9–11 am. As always, we will meet by the entrance to Ellington Field at 38th and R Streets. Thanks to Janice Sims for organizing. 

There are a variety of other issues that the BCA continues to follow. The Georgetown Transportation Access and Circulation Study, for which I am representing Burleith, is on-going. The administrative team recently completed a community outreach process, including a survey with 1,400 respondents, and is currently formulating recommendations. These will then be presented to the committee and then to the wider public at some point in winter 2024. As soon as the various meetings are scheduled, I will let everyone know. There should be another community meeting regarding the plans for Ellington Field in the next few months, but no details have been released yet. Also, the designs for the new Jelleff Recreation Center are currently being modified, but that project is slowly moving forward. 

I hope to see you at our up-coming events, especially our annual meeting. Before we know it, the holidays will be upon us. Please be on the lookout for potential Santa visits and the holiday decorating contest.

All the best.