A Wal-Mart here--in my Own Backyard??

Wal-Mart is coming!  No, make that multiple Wal-Marts are invading!    The largest retail store in the world (based on revenue) is very interested in setting up a foothold in one of the nation's most powerful city.

There is even talk that Wal-Mart is scouting out Skyland, the decrepit, oft-forgotten strip mall that through a bitterly contested battle in court was seized by eminent domain and now so ripe for development.  Across the street, Clancy's the dark and danky strip club -- the last in the southeast -- closed around a year ago.

Skyland could be Wal-Mart's 5th location in DC

When I first came to DC in 2003, I heard that someone big was coming here.  Seven years later I am still tapping my fingers, hoping for Ikea. Will a big box with a yellow smiley face put me out of misery?

Photo by andrewmtu (DCist)

But Wal-Mart will equate to  jobs, a place to purchase a vast variety of food at attractive prices and spur further urban revitalization.  But that's what they said about Nationals Park four years ago, and I'm still waiting for a place to buy fresh fruit that's not wrapped in plastic at Subway's.

And clearly not everyone is smiling about Wal-Mart's bold announcement.  Last week, a small group of protestors picketed in Woodley Park in front of the home of a developer who has stated that he wants to open stores for Wal-Mart in DC.  This is an effective way of getting a message across -- scare the living daylights out of their children.

There are clearly no shortage of anti-Wal-Mart sentiment across this country and DC is no different.  The litany of complaints is seemingly never ending, starting with ole Smiley being a Bully and their unethical tactics of squeezing down labor costs and fixing prices.

GWU Wishes Happy Bday to MLK at Former Gang Plagued School

The spirit of service is alive and vibrant at George Washington University (GWU) and on the birthday of the legendary Dr. Martin Luther King, hundreds of GWU students, staff and faculty took a day ON, not a day off to beautiful this former gang-plagued school.

Ballou High School in the past has been plagued with violence both off and on-campus.
 

In 2003, the school was shut down for weeks due to a mercury spill in the chemistry lab.  In 2004, a 17-year-old student, star football-player, (J-Rock Richardson) was killed during a confrontation after class.  The hallways were filled with trash and graffiti.  Teachers were too afraid to correct students.
Students from Condon Terrace and Barry Farms feuded with Ballou.

My Plan to Swim the Anacostia Before I Croak

I love stand up paddling on the Potomac, but on the Anacostia?

The new Anacostia River license plate (costs $25 to purchase)

Why there's too much ice up river?  Not really, Anacostia is my home and this forsaken river is my backyard.

This afternoon, I launched from Diamond Teague Pier, the brand new pier built to one day facilitate ferries to and fro the Nationals Ball Park.   What a perfect memorial for a smart kid that cared so much for the development of his community.  Diamond Teague was a charismatic young volunteer at the Earth Conservation Corp who was shot in the head in front of his house in 2003 at the age of 19.

The Alexandria, National, Anacostia (ANA) Loop

Anacostia is a historic region located east of the river it is named after. Following the construction of the Anascostia freeway and the postwar flight of whites to suburban areas, Anacostia underwent a transformation. From then on, the neighborhood changed into the predominantly black district it is now.

Although the crime rate in Anacostia has fallen from its peak in the 1990s, many Washingtonians still consider Anacostia "the most dangerous neighborhood in DC." But for bikers looking for an interesting bike route looping through Virginia, south Maryland, and DC, Anacostia's beauty cannot be overlooked.

(Part of Anacostia's renaissance was the revilitization of previously neglected housing, which turned many aspiring homeowners' dreams into reality. As a resident of Anacostia, I am a daily witness to the promise the up-and-coming neighborhood exudes and disappointedly, the bad rep it receives from other Washingtonians.)

Chapter 20: Living in the City

The following is the ONLY complete loop that goes through DC, MD and VA. There are scenic and serene places to stop for sightseeing and reflection along the way:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/dc/washington/850125251019582340

Southeast DC

• The ride kicked off from the front steps of my house on Bruce Place, Congress Heights in SE DC.
  
• A casual ride down Alabama Ave (passing the redeveloped Henson Ridge, the new Giant, IHOP)
  
• Then Alabama meets Martin Luther King as we continue downhill down this historic street. On MLK day, Southeast hosts Washington's major MLK parade.
  
• MLK merges into South Capitol St which takes us all the way to the border of DC and Prince George County, MD.
  

Southern Maryland

• Once in MD, South Capitol turns into Indian Head Highway. You actually ride on the highway -- but relax, there's a wide lane off the highway where you can ride -- approx 5 minutes.
• There's speeding traffic, but keep your head on a swivel, and you should do fine. (Recommend not riding this part during rush hour. Off peak and weekends are best)
• Once you past 295, make a right onto Oxon Hill Road. Then take your immediate right onto National Ave.
• The views of the Potomac at National Ave is utterly amazing.
• At this point, you can veer left into National Harbor.
• Or you can continue right over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
• The Bridge is well laid out and spectacular with many spots that provides a great panoramic view.

National Harbor

Virginia

• Once over the bridge, you pass the quaint St Mary's Cemetery, Then make a right onto Washington St.
• If you like, you can hang a right onto Old Towne for lunch, snacks or ice cream.
• Or enter the Mount Vernon Trail just prior to the National Airport.
• You continue on the Trail until you ride under the 14th St Bridge.
• This will bring you back to DC.

National Airport from Mount Vernon Trail

DC

• In DC, ride through East Potomac Park
• Then towards the Waterfront (if you like make a stop at the various fish markets.)
• Once past the fish market, hug the shoreline as you ride along the sidwalk by the marina.
• Near Ft McNair, make a left on O St towards National Park.
• Then over the South Capitol St (Frederick Douglas) bridge.
• Once over on Anacostia, stay on Howard Road.
• Then hang a right on Martin Luther King Ave until you arrive at the top of the hill where Players Restaurant is located.

Summary

• That's it -- the 17.3 mile loop around DC.
• For anyone interested, you can start this loop almost anywhere in DC, MD and VA.
• Plus it's relatively safe with broad streets and several metro stops along the route.
  

Let me know if you're interested in checking out this ride -- I might be willing to go with you.

Anacostia Waterfront -- A View from Afloat

USS Barry pierside at the Washington Navy Yard

Today, I took a day off from running, because I knew I would be spending the evening on the river -- the majestic Anacostia that is, the river that blows a steady, cool breeze up over the River East hills on a late, summer day, invigorating and fresh like the scent of juniper in a lush, pine forest.

Why did I go?

I have indeed been a faithful and diligent resident east of the Anacostia River for the last six plus years, but I have never set sail on this mystic River before (the Potomac -- yes, indeed, onboard a 17-foot Hunter, with mainsail flapping freely with each puff of wind traversing over the Chesapeake and also swimming freestyle during last year's Nation's Triathlon.) But the good, ole Anacosita, I have unfortunately been saved and deprived of the opportunity for sail or swim.

How I got there

The drive from Anacostia over the venerable Frederick Douglas Bridge, which despite its archaic shape and ancient state provided an expansive view of the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the distraught Nats Park (there's always another season) and of course the expansive green, brown acres of Anacostia Park and the historic area, once called Uniontown.

Bet You Didn't Know

A lot of people and even lifelong Washingtonians are unaware that Anacostia Park extends over 1200 acres with hundreds of acres available for soccer fields, picnicking, basketball, tennis, and other family activity. (The Kenilworth Park, Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Marsh are also part of the Anacostia Park.)

As I admired the sweet view from my rolled-down window, I formed visions of exploring Kenliworth, just me and my trusted Brooks running shoes, and a pocket of Cliff shots for endurance, sprinting and prancing among the colorful summer butterflies that feed on wetland plants preserved there. One day, I thought to myself, one day soon this summer, a summer I hoped would never end.

What did I board?

So today was the big day. I was looking forward to my inaugural cruise aboard the luxurious Odyssey along the River that I cross over daily, a remarkable way to observe first-hand some of the development sites and waterfront enhancements, projected down the road, along this historic, meandering river, I've known and love for years.

Peering out on both sides of the river, I could see the familiar Hains Point and the spacious Anacostia Park - both my stompin' grounds for bike and run. And as usual, there were sports-a-holics galore on this mild, summer evening. The sun still shone bright but waning as it was prepping its demise over the grandiose Woodrow Wilson Bridge along the mighty Potomac.

I was energized to see the rowers jabbing the river with such force and strength and pushing water back as if it was solid and firm. The calm ripples glistening in the sun, stroke after stroke, blade after blade. Sweat and salt, I'm sure glistened from their temple and cheeks, but they paid that no mind.

My Participation

Over the last five months, I have participated in several fora regarding the Anacostia Waterfront at the MLK Library downtown. The sessions have been educational and enlightening, and it was wonderful meeting activists from both sides of the river

And today was a special day to cap off the first season of the Waterfront Fora and to thank those who supported and sacrificed hours upon hours during this critical and foundational planning and development phase.

Kirsten Crase, Neida Perez, Nikki Peele and Lashaun Smith discuss critical issues along the Anacostia Waterfront

Realtor, Darrin Davis, poses as the Odyssey sails under the 11th Street Bridge.

What I Learned:

A lot was discussed, a lot was discerned. For me, it was a way to get acquainted with my surroundings and to network with the River East Emerging Leaders to realize once and for all that there truly is a flowing river that runs through home and turf.