« May 6: Evening news | Main | Helping the employees of the Eastern Market merchants »

May 7: Morning news and links

  • First and foremost, don't forget tonight's community meeting to discuss temporary plans to house the South Hall vendors during the market building's renovation. The meeting is at 7:30 pm at Hine Junior High School's Multi-Purpose Room and Mayor Fenty, Council Member Tommy Wells, and City Administrator Dan Tangherlini will be there. (And if you want to read up on the the three plans currently under consideration, they are posted here.)
  • A press release/newsletter from the Flea Market at Eastern Market this morning adds support to the proposal to build a temporary structure on the grounds of Hine Junior High School. (It also gives this site some love!)
    "A plan to relocate Eastern Market merchants displaced from the South Hall by the fire a week ago today to a temporary structure on the playground of the nearby Hine Junior High School was endorsed today by Tom Rall, manager of The Flea Market at Eastern Market, which has operated there on Sundays for 15 years."
  • Little Isabella's piggy-bank donation and letter to the vendors is highlighted on DC Blogs this morning.
  • Act for Love, "the largest matchmaking site for Democratic singles", is donating all net revenue between now and Wednesday to the CHCF fund.
  • According to this blurb in yesterday's Post, the year-long project of the kindgergartners of Peabody will be featured in Thursday's Extra.
  • Crowds still turn out in force for first post-fire Market Day, The Examiner
  • Finally, don't forget tomorrow night's fundraiser organized by Eastern Market Rescue -- have a drink or a meal at the establishments listed, and part of the proceeds will go to the CHCF fund. In addition to participating in the the Eastern Market Rescue event at the downstairs bar, the Hawk 'n' Dove will be holding a targeted fundraiser at the upstairs bar from 6 to 9 pm. Proceeds -- including tips at the bar -- will go to the relief fund, and representatives of the CHCF will be on hand to accept donations. Spread the word at work today, and bring your friends tomorrow night!

Posted by Shannon on May 7, 2007 |

Comments (1)

Kristen Hartke:

Just wanted to provide a brief update about the Capitol Hill Community Foundation and fundraising thus far. I am on the board of the CHCF and volunteering my time to help with communications; many people in the neighborhood know me as a Capitol Hill Cluster School parent. I have been working with the Foundation in different capacities for about 15 years -- since I was 25 -- and I know the Foundation is new to a lot of people who are generously donating their time, talent, and money in support of the merchants at Eastern Market.

The Foundation is a remarkable organization which awards hundreds of thousands of dollars in small grants to community projects each year, from after school tutoring programs to tree-planting initiatives to soup kitchens. I guarantee that every person on Capitol Hill is somehow touched, directly or indirectly, by a Foundation grantee each day. 100% of every penny we raise goes right back out into the community because the members of the board agree to pay for all of the Foundation's administrative costs out of their own pockets.

We are incredibly fortunate that we had such an organization already in place to handle the money and offers of help that are pouring in; so far we have taken in about $170,000 and we have a committee in place that will determine how to best use those funds. It is an ever-evolving process that may include direct financial assistance to merchants and employees, assistance with the relocation of the merchants, and promotion of whatever relocation site is chosen, so that people throughout the metropolitan area know where to find their favorite meat, cheese, or fish guys.

In the meantime, I am thrilled to see so many diverse members of our community coming together in support of an incredible community institution and, particularly, the people who make it special. Keep it up, and feel free to contact me with your creative ideas, comments, and questions!

Kristen

Posted by Kristen Hartke | May 7, 2007 12:48 PM

Posted on May 7, 2007 12:48