DC's first hermitage at Brookland's Franciscan Monastery

Located on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery in Brookland, the hermitage is a single-occupancy sanctuary, open to people of all faiths. Anyone can book a stay for just one night or for a week-long retreat. Reservations are being accepted and the cost for one night’s stay is $70...the 350-square-foot hermitage is a modern cubist-inspired structure. Sharp, clean lines characterize its exterior. The open-plan interior includes a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area. 

The grand opening ceremony was on September 17th. To read the full article, go to: http://www.ward5heartbeat.org/feature/refuge-for-the-metropolitan-hermit-dcs-first-hermitage-opens-at-the-franciscan-monastery/

Brookland's Menomale: Destination for Pizzaphiles!

"The latest to give Neapolitan a go is Menomalé, a cramped, 28-seat dining room in DC’s Brookland that might have gotten away with simply being a dependable joint for a midweek meal, given the scarcity of options nearby. It’s that and more. Not only has Menomalé established itself as a destination for pizzaphiles—it has entered the conversation about the area’s best." For the full Washingtonian review, go to: http://www.washingtonian.com/restaurantreviews/upper-crust-menomale.php

Brookland's Colonel Brooks to close TODAY - Friday, September 14th

It appears that today may be the last day to grab a burger and beer at our very own Colonel Brooks. The upcoming 901 Monroe project is slated to break ground by the end of 2012 and the construction last 18 months. One-bedroom apartments are expected to start at $1,600/mo and two-bedrooms at $2,100. Good bye Colonel Brooks! We'll miss you.

Little Ricky's Cuban-American Restaurant coming to Brookland!!

Little Ricky’s Cuban-American restaurant will soon be opening in Brookland! It will be located on the 12th St NE strip between Monroe and Newton Sts NE. (Where Tropicana Eatery used to be.) YAY!

UNION MARKET finally opens this Saturday, Sept 8th!

Just south of Brookland, UNION MARKET finally opens this Saturday, September 8th!! Vendors include Rappahannok River Oysters Co., Buffalo and Bergen (a soda shop) Righteous Cheese, Peregrine Espresso, Lyon Bakery, Trickling Springs Creamery, Harvey's Market, Oh! Pickles, Almaala Farms, DC Empanadas, and TaKorean. Market hours will be Fridays 11AM-8PM, and Saturdays & Sundays 8AM-8PM until November, when the market will be open six days a week. Union Market is located north of Florida Ave NE between 5th & 6th Sts NE.

Barnes & Noble and Starbucks coming to Monroe St Market/CUA!

I had to repost the exciting news from Brookland Avenue that Barnes & Noble and Starbucks will be coming to the Monroe Street Market/Catholic U South Campus development! 

"...In 18 to 24 months, the bookstore will move off campus as part of a joint development project between the University and a local developer. The complex will be a mix of housing, retail stores and restaurants...The new store will also introduce a Starbucks café and a greater selection of trade books, apparel and much more." For the full post, go to: http://brooklandavenue.com/blog/

Rising Values Push Nearly One Million Homeowners Above Water

Rising home values pushed almost 750,000 more homeowners into the black in the first quarter of this year! Now we may actually be closer to 1,000,000 homeowners. The number of homeowners who are underwater fell by 5.8% in the first quarter leaving only 23.7% of all homeowners with a mortgage were in negative equity down from 25.2% in the fourth quarter of 2011. The market is moving in the right direction! Read the full article. 

What to Do This Weekend: July 26 to 29

There is something for everyone...an Olympic pub crawl down H St, a Fashionista Flea Market, a Boat Party down the Potomac and much much more. Here's the line up from The Washingtonian. ENJOY!

Buyers Snap Up Brookland's Chancellor’s Rowhomes

Developers have had to speed up the construction and delivery of Brookland's Chancellor Rowhomes due to high demand. 100 units have already been built and 76 more are currently under construction. The full 237-townhouse development project is now expected to be completed two years ahead of schedule. The third and final phase is slated to begin in 2013. The 4-level homes are selling for approximately $575,000 to $700,000. Read the full article at: http://www.ward5heartbeat.org/2012sum_chancellors.html

More signs of improving DC housing market!

The DC real estate market...wow! We've always been ahead of the national curve but June proved just how well we are doing. The median sales price in DC in June was $435,000, up 4.6% from last year. The lack of inventory (the lowest since 1997), the steady decline of days on market (down 16% from last year), and unbelievably low interest rates (less than 4%) have nowhere but up to send us! Read more at: More signs of improving DC housing market

Where we live: Woodridge NE DC

More and more young professionals priced out of Brookland and other DC neighborhoods are flocking to Woodridge - a neighborhood of bungalows and capes tucked away just off Rhode Island Ave NE. A quieter "city life" but still with the convenience to downtown are just a couple of the attractions. Click here to read the full Washington Post article... Where We Live: Woodridge

DC Council approves limits on medical marijuana growth

DC Council approves limits on medical marijuana growth
Brookland residents: The D.C. Council approved legislation to restrict how much medical marijuana can be grown in each ward. Pressure from Brookland and other NE communities worried that Ward 5 would be inundated with pot-growing operations aided in passing the emergency legislation. Members compromised and agreed that no more than six cultivation centers could be located in any one ward. 

Polar Dip anyone?

I am impressed by those polar-bear-individuals that voluntarily jump into almost freezing water in the winter...with out a sauna near by. Not too far from DC - and for all you brave souls - Lake Anne is hosting its annual polar dip on February 4th at 1pm. Brrrrrrrr.

5th Annual Freezin' for a Reason Polar Dip!