Anacostia River Treasure Hunt

Join the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's Trail Rangers for an Anacostia River Treasure Hunt on Saturday, August 30 at 10 AM.

Scattered across the shores of the Anacostia River are treasures, great vistas, and worthy ports just waiting for discovery. Armed with a treasure map, some riddles and an eye for exploration, teams will enjoy friendly competition collecting points for treasures discovered and riddles solved. Along the way, you’ll get to see all there is to enjoy on the Anacostia River. Assemble your crew, weigh your bike anchor, and join us on an adventure that will take you up the Anacostia and back again!

Silliness encouraged. Costumes rewarded.  Bike savvy kids welcome.

Hunt Details

Date:     Saturday August 30
Time:     10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Check in: 10:00 - 10:30 am

Location:  Diamond Teague Park (First & Potomac Ave. SE DC by the ballpark)
Cost:       Free
Website:   waba.org/treasurehunt

In the days of olde, treasure hunters crossed the seas and beat back jungles in search of precious metals and plunder.  Today, we compete for points, earned by following clues, discovering lesser known attractions, and clearing some jungles too!  With a treasure map, some riddles and an eye for explorations, teams will compete for points, prizes, and glory.  You might be surprised by what the Anacostia River has to offer!

What to Bring

-a bike
-a helmet (required for participation)
-at least one teammate (up to 4 per team)
-a smartphone and Twitter or Instagram account (1 per team)
-a costume fitting of a treasure hunter (optional, but encouraged)

Kids Welcome!

Bike savvy kids are encouraged to join too.  While adult teams will be searching for treasures spread all along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, kids can enjoy a shorter, more directed hunt just for them.  Kids should be capable of riding their own bicycle and MUST have an accompanying parent to participate.

DHCD Community Update

The DC Department of Housing and Community Development invites you to a community  meeting to hear about the incredible development that’s happening in Historic Anacostia.  The meeting will be held  on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm., at the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Road, SE.

Please review the attached flyer and contact Sandy Allen on (202) 442-7145 if you have questions or need additional information.

R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center Coming to Ward 8!

Pics from the Mr. James Bunn Memorial Celebration!

Wanted to share some pics from the Mr. James Bunn Memorial Celebration. Mr. Bunn was a great man who cared very deeply for his family and the Ward 8 Community. We need more leaders like him in the Ward!

Honoring a great man and leader of his family and community

Sheila Bunn (daughter) help lead the way during the march

This shirt says it all about Mr. Bunn

Great seeing the young people honoring a great man

There is no celebration in Ward 8 without Marion Barry

Nice Crowd!

Candle light vigil

Mayor Gray joined the celebration

Woodcrest Villas?

Art of War Concept: Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt

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It looks like some things have quietly changed in Congress Heights. I am sure many of us have read about and failed housing development on 4th Street SE that went belly-up about 2 years ago and set vacant for a while. Last year the property was auctioned off and looks like some new money has been pumped into the project.  

This past weekend while at the Whole Foods Market at the St E’s Campus Pavilion I came across a flyer advertising the development entitled “Woodcrest Villas.” I stopped by on Saturday and saw brand-spankin new development where the houses are selling for $350+ and the condos are $250+. Each unit comes well equipped with all the bells and whistles a homeowner would desire. The listing agent says many of the interested buyers are employees from the Coast Guard on the West Campus of St. E's....Interesting. Check out the pics below.

The condos are selling for $250+

The houses are selling for $350+

Brand new everything!

The are selling more...get yours today!

Ward 8 State Board of Education - TOMORROW

Art of War Concept: Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
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Did you know there is a Ward 8 Election tomorrow? Yup, all Ward 8 residents can go an vote for our next Ward 8 State Board of Education representative. It’s a special election, so turnout is expected to be low. This past weekend, I attended the only candidate forum for this position. Normally one would not expect much for this type of election, but this one was very informative. Both candidates have great ideas and are very insightful regarding education in Ward 8. 

There are two candidates running – Tierra Jolly and Philip Pannell. If you would like to learn more about each candidate please see there websites. Good Luck to Both Candidates

Philip Pannell: http://pannellforeducation.com/

Tierra Jolly: http://www.jollyforward8.com/

Anacostia Honey is Back!

Art of War Concept: Each pound of food  taken from the enemy is equivalent to twenty pounds you provide by yourself.
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After a year of beekeeping disappointment, it looks like I am back in business. Anacostia Honey is back! I have been a backyard beekeeper going on three years now. Yeah, the stings suck, but I have a greater appreciation for God’s perfect bug – the Honeybee.

Just how important are honeybees to our diet? According to the USDA these under-appreciated workers pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops which constitute 1/3 of everything we eat.

Losing them could affect not only dietary staples such as apples, broccoli, strawberries, nuts, asparagus, blueberries and cucumbers, but may threaten our beef and dairy industries if alfalfa is not available for feed. One study estimated that honeybees annually pollinate $14 billion worth of seeds and crops in the U.S. Essentially, if honeybees disappear, they could take most of our insect pollinated plants with them, potentially reducing us to little more than a water diet.

But back to the Honey. If you would like a $10 8oz jar of Local Honey, meet me this weekend at the Ward 8’s Farmer’s Market from 9-2pm. I will be doing a beekeeping demonstration. The market is located at the TheARC at 1901 Mississippi Ave SE. I don’t have much to sell so get there early. First come first serve!

See You Saturday,
Charles E. Wilson aka "The Honey Man"

My four bee hives

Some don't believe I actually have beehives in my backyard.
For some odd reason, I could not get any friends or neighbors to take a pic
of me in front of the hives as proof so I had to take a selfie. LOL

Get your $10 8oz jar of Local Honey this Saturday at the Ward 8's Farmer's Market
TheARC - 1901 Mississippi Ave SE

First Come, First Serve!

Benefits of "Local" Honey

Allergy Protection

Some research supports the theory that local honey – obtained as close as possible to where you live – may help build immunity to seasonal allergies. Honey made by bees in the vicinity of the allergenic plant will contain tiny amounts of pollen from that plant. This honey will act as a sort of vaccine if taken in small amounts – a few teaspoons per day – for several months, and can provide relief from seasonal pollen-related allergies

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

Honey is also reach in powerful antioxidants and cancer-fighting phytonutrients, which can be found in propolis, or “honey glue” that the bees use to sterilize the beehive. Raw honey contains some of these compounds while pasteurized honey does not 

Digestive Aid

In its natural, raw state, honey contains many enzymes that can help some people digest food more easily so it may also help treat ulcers and diarrhea

Vitamins and Minerals

The nutrient content of raw honey varies, but a 1-ounce serving contains very small amounts of foliate as well as vitamins B2, C, B6, B5 and B3. Minerals including calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc can also be found in raw honey in small amounts.

Topical Salve

Honey can be uses as medicine. It has anit-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. For this reason it can be applied topically to treat burns.

Cough Suppressant

Honey has also been found to be especially useful in treating upper respiratory infections.

See you this Saturday at the Ward 8 Farmer's Market
TheARC - 1901 Mississippi Ave., SE