Politics

HPAP Funding Controversy – Is It Funded or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

Yeah, I hadn’t actually heard of HPAP either until I received a number of emails about it. From a reader:

“This is a pretty big deal- was only able to buy my condo here in Columbia Heights because of this amazing program. Housing prices locally might finally start to see some of the collapse in the rest of the country if this program disappears. Can you send out a note to people?

Basically, the concept of HPAP program is that if you meet certain low-income requirements, you can get up to $70,000 as a downpayment on a house, which never has any interest, you don’t have to start paying back for 5 years, and then have 40 years to pay back. I know, sounds too good to be true- but it’s not, I personally used the program. And they’re talking about eliminating it. Make them stop!”

You can read more and learn how to sign a petition after the jump.

Update: The Post is reporting that it actually has passed. Their story can be found here.

Update 2: From comments – “This is from Councilmember Barry’s office, regarding the conflicting post article about $50m being approved for HPAP.  It was wrong.  HPAP is indeed still frozen:

The report in the post story is wrong. I plan to reach to them for a correction. The 50 million (which is incorrect too) is for the Housing Production Trust Fund. The 11 million in HPAP funding is frozen per the action the Council the other week.  We exploring ways to restore the funding but nothing concrete has come about yet. The best bet for now is to direct residents to DHCD’s website via dc.gov, updates on the situation will posted there.”

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New Location For Bill Ayers Speech Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“Due to the large number of people who want to attend the book talk and signing with Bill Ayers, we have moved it to a new location to be sure there is space for everyone. The book talk and signing will be held at: All Souls Church, 1500 Harvard Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 – two blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro.

6:30 PM
William Ayers will sign and discuss his two books – City Kids, City Schools: More Reports from the Front Row – and its companion- City Kids, City Teachers: Reports from the Front Row. In these inspiring resources, William Ayers explores the surprising realities of city classrooms from kindergarten through high school. With its upbeat mix of ready-to-share city kids’ memoirs and classroom strategies, William Ayers reflects on how improving urban education is more essential than ever. It is a useful guide as well as a call to action for anyone who teaches or has taught in the city, for those considering teaching in urban schools, and for every parent with children in our schools today.”

Bill Ayers To Speak At Busboys & Poets

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m dying to know what you guys think about this talk.

From an email:

Book Talk with Bill Ayers
The controversial Chicago activist comes to DC

Bill Ayers’ name has been in the news lately, though most of the coverage hasn’t been about his new book, City Kids, City Schools: More Reports from the Front Row – or its well-known companion, City Kids, City Teachers: Reports from the Front Row. A respected elementary education theorist and a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Education, Ayers comes to Busboys and Poets at 14th and V Streets to drop a few metaphorical bombshells on the state of public education in urban schools courtesy of our partner Teaching for Change who invited us to co-sponsor this event.

City Kids, City Teachers shed light on student life in urban public schools and commented on issues faced by city students, from language, race and class to culture, poverty and violence. Twelve years later, City Kids, City Schools picks up where its companion left off, connecting life in city schools to life in the surrounding neighborhoods. Contributors take on topics from culturally relevant teaching to gentrification in a collection that multicultural education writer Sonia Nieto says “challenge[s] the conventional wisdom of what it means to teach in urban schools.”

Ayers knows well the need to improve urban education, a concern he shares with DC VOICE and its supporters. His call to action will likely resonate with our community, which is why we extend this invitation to you to hear Ayers speak.

Monday, November 17, 6:30p – 8:00pm
Langston Room at Busboys and Poets
2021 14th St
NW DC 20009
www.busboysandpoets.com

Obama Victory Celebrations on U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

Holy cow this was amazing. First, I waited on line this morning for almost two hours to vote. That has never happened to me in the many elections I’ve voted in before. You knew something special was brewing. You could sense it, practically taste it. And sure enough the victory celebrations have been amazing. At midnight you could walk anywhere on U Street from 9th Street to 14th Street and the streets were flowing with folks celebrating. There was honking cars, dancing, singing, fireworks, chants, you name it. I imagine it was like a combination of a World Cup, World Series and Super Bowl victories wrapped up in one.

I ran into Bill Crandall on 14th and U Street (see video above) and he had a really interesting insight. He said, we’ve come full circle, you know almost exactly 40 years ago there was rioting where we are standing right now. It was a really interesting thought. 40 years ago was mayhem and sadness. Today there was ecstasy. And today I should add the ecstasy was experienced by quite a diverse group. This group consisted of black, white and Latino and the joy was shared by all.

Eventually I knew I had to go home and was trying to catch a cab (unsuccessfully) near the 9:30 club when I saw two young women smiling and honking in a parked car. Well, the driver sees me and honks and smiles. Then she exits her car, runs over to me and hugs me and lifts me straight in the air spinning in circles while screaming “we did it, we did it, we did it!”. I have never witnessed pure joy like this in all my life.

So tell me what were your election watching experiences like? Did anyone witness some street celebrations? If so where? Were the streets blocked?

I can honestly say I’ll remember this night for the rest of my life.

Election Watch @ Domku from 7pm On

By Prince Of Petworth

Domku of course is located on the 800 block of Upshur just east of Georgia Ave.  Mmm, free drinks…  From an email:

Don’t forget to join us tonight for our Very Partisan Election Watch. Starting at 7pm, for every 25 electoral points in Obama’s favor, prices on Rogue, Jever, and house wines will drop by 25 cents. If Obama wins, there will be a round of free drinks for 10 minutes following the win. Seriously.

Dear PoP

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m an avid reader of your blog. In the past, you have highlighted local candidates running for election. This week I received the DC Voter Guide and noticed that at least in ANC 4C (my district) there are a slew of new candidates who I know nothing about. With all the development taking place in Petworth and other neighbourhood issues(church parking, dog parks, etc.,) it would be nice to know a little more about some of these candidates before we go into the polling booth on election day. HELP!!!

Back in March 2007 I wondered what ANC representatives even did. There were lots of good responses (here.) Of course now I know their importance given all the drama around the YES! Organic Market’s quest for a liquor license as well as the church median parking issue. So selecting a good ANC Commissioner is actually quite important. Fortunately I am happy with my current commissioner. Sadly, I have no idea how you can find out more about the ones competing for seats. My suggestion would be to attend an ANC meeting but I think it may be too late for that since the election is next Tuesday. So any suggestions given the little amount of time left on how to learn more about ANC candidates?

Bloombars showing “The Best of Political Film”

By Prince Of Petworth

Bloombars at 3222 Eleventh Street NW is having another great event. From the Bloombars Web site:

” TUESDAY OCTOBER 28 – MONDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2008

BloomBars’ Living Room Screenings Presents: The Best of Political Film

Get motivated, get inspired, and get out the vote! Come join the BloomBars family and your neighbors for free screenings of some of the best in political documentary and narrative feature film. Especially, if you’re not canvassing or phone banking, but sitting glued to CNN and MSNBC, take a break and enjoy a great film and conversation in a cozy and warm environment in the spirit of this incredible moment! ”

Schedule after the jump.  I guess it begs the question –  what’s your favorite “political film”? (more…)

Now, It’s Just Going Too Far

By Prince Of Petworth

7 Eleven jumping on the Obama band wagon to sell cups of coffee? Is it just me or is that insane? I suppose it’s possible they have McCain coffee cups as well but c’mon. This seems a little over the top. But I guess if it helps sell coffee… Well, what do you think, is this ridiculous or simply good marketing?

Hayden Panettiere To Speak at AU on Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Women & Politics Institute Web site:

Women & Politics Institute
Proudly Presents

Hayden Panettiere

Saturday, October 25, 2008
5:00pm ● Ward 1

This event is free and open to the public. For reserved seating with the Women & Politics Institute please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, October 24, at 5:00pm. Be sure to include “Hayden Panettiere” in the subject line.

Star of NBC’s hit TV show Heroes Hayden Panettiere will be discussing her work with the Save the Whales Again! Campaign and her Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts.

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