Last week, the National Cathedral announced it would be cutting 15 percent of its work force, or 33 jobs, as part of both a new strategic plan and the reality of an economic downturn. Margaret Bergan Davis, associate dean of the Cathedral, confirms the greenhouse employees are among the cuts and that the greenhouse itself will close June 29.

This has some in the neighborhood a little worked up. Sioban Farey writes the “Cathedral greenhouse and nursery is too valuable to our community to lose…we need to find ways that we could work with the Cathedral to keep it open for many reasons….”

The small greenhouse, in need of repair even to an indifferent observer and located on the south side of the Cathedral grounds, is more than a retail store, Farey contends. In a pitch to fellow members (some 6,400 of them) on the Cleveland Park listserv, Farey argues they can work with the cathedral’s staff to reverse the decision.  “It is absoulutely congruent with the Cathedral’s mission to minister to all people of all faiths and none—what is more universal than plants/nature?”

Davis says that while she appreciates the appreciation of the surrounding neighborhoods, the decision will stand.

“I know the loss of the greenhouse is sad for many peoople,” she says. “I hope they understand that the greenhouse is from an era when the Cathedral needed that structure to grow its own plants and flowers. With the many different garden centers, the Home Depots in the area, etc., as beautiful and wonderful as the people are there, the idea of having plants for sale truly is not part of the foundational mission for the future,” she says.

Davis declined to say how many people who now work at the greenhouse will be laid off. She also said that the stragic plan cited as the primary reason for the changes was realeased 18 months ago, so some of these changes have been coming for some time.

Foster Brothers Coffee, 3515 Connecticut Ave., in the old Park & Shop strip of Cleveland Park officially joins the rest of the dead soldiers in the neighborhood, including the next-door Whatsa Bagel, which closed more than a year ago. The coffeeshop had been on life support for some time, but along with So’s Your Mom in Adams Morgan, Foster’s was one of the few places left you could still score a Whatsa Bagel bagel.

Rumors about the closing are aflyin’ on the Cleveland Park listserv, to wit:

The unfortunate part to this story is the women who work there had little heads up and were kept in the dark as late as Friday. After the original message was posted Wednesday, I stopped by that night to check in with the staff I know and the owner had yet to say a word to them. As of Friday night,they were only told that there were “negotiations.”

Based on the current number of empty storefronts in our four retail sections on Connecticut (five counting Fosters), the length of vacancy (three have been empty more than a year), and type of business that has replaced three previously empty locations (CVS expansion, Bubbles Salon, and Foot Solutions are all
multistate operations of various size) it appears that the rents and conditions (mostly small spaces, some requiring a lot of work) are not practical for a local, independent business to be profitable in our neighborhood verses other sections of DC, VA, and MD. I remember the wish lists from previous related
discussions (hardware store, book store were two mentioned multiple times) and unless significant tax breaks are offered, I think we may need to reconsider what type of businesses can realistically thrive in Cleveland Park and support the local restaurants and businesses we *do* have.

This, after the epic battle regarding whether or not Cosi should be allowed to occupy the space that was Blockbuster’s on Connecticut between Ordway and Porter. For more on that sticky subject, check this analysis by Bill Adler, owner of the listserv and neighborhood advocate.

This afternoon, the D.C. Council’s public works and environment committee voted to strip $2 million meant to reconstruct Klingle Road NW from Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s budget proposal. Furthermore, the committee voted to add language to budget legislation requiring the road to remain closed, effectively overturning a 2003 council vote to reopen the road.

For LL’s take on the whole sordid story and how it got to this point, read this.

Committee chair and Ward 1 councilmember Jim Graham supported spending the money, as did Ward 4’s Muriel Bowser. Ward 3’s Mary Cheh, Ward 7’s Yvette Alexander, and at-large member Kwame R. Brown opposed doing so. Ward 8’s Marion Barry, though not a committee member, also showed up to speak in support of keeping the road closed.

The full council is free to revisit the decision when the budget legislation moves forward next month.

Updates to come.

UPDATE, 3:50 P.M.: A subsequent amendment by Cheh moves the $2 million in local money to alley repairs and earmarks another $2 million out of the District’s federal funds for environmental remediation of Klingle Valley and construction of a recreation trail.

UPDATE, 4:17 P.M.: After the markup ended, Graham vowed to take the matter to the full council at the May 13 budget session. He also said he intends to hold a public “roundtable” on the Klingle issue in the two weeks interim. “I think there’s going to be a lot of discussion,” he says. During the hearing, Graham had proposed delaying any vote until such a roundtable could be held. Cheh & Co. voted it down; “The public had had ample time….I don’t know anything that’s been debated more than Klingle Road,” she said.

UPDATE, 7:30 P.M.: The Fenty response, from spokesperson Carrie Brooks: “The Mayor will defer to the judgment of the members of the Committee on Public Works and the Environment on this issue. Having served as a councilmember for six years, he certainly appreciates the legislature’s role in shaping the District’s budget.”

In this week’s column, LL detailed the political machinations beneath the latest resurrection of the interminable Klingle Road dispute. In the process of counting the votes on a $2 million budget line item to move forward with road reconstruction, LL chose to count At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown as a “Spineless Wind-Twister” thanks to his comments in favor of further debate of an issue that has been debated for 17 years.

Well, yesterday, Brown called LL up and gave him an earful for lumping him in with Ward 8 Councilmember Marion S. Barry Jr. in that category. LL visited Brown’s office and listened as Brown explained his deep convictions—and campaign promises—against spending local money on Klingle Road repairs.

So there you have it folks: LL is officially pulling Brown from the Spineless Wind-Twisters and putting him amoung the proud ranks of the Bleeding-Heart Tree-Huggers. That’s brings the running count to eight anti-road votes, four pro-roaders, and one unknown.

Brown’s conviction also means that the mayor’s $2 million Klingle Road line item isn’t going to make it out of the council’s committee on public works and the environment. Committee chair and Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham favors spending the money, as does Ward 4’s Muriel Bowser, but the other three committee members—Mary Cheh of Ward 3, Yvette Alexander of Ward 7, and Brown—are all now unequivocally on the record against it.

Look for that $2 million to be directed elsewhere at the committee’s April 30 budget markup.

Photo of Klingle Road by Darrow Montgomery

Via extremeskins.com: DC-bred, LA-based metal band Vyrus unveils its musical homage to the murdered Redskin, “Forever 21.”

It’s a power ballad that’s sort of, umm, “Going to California” meets “Horse With No Name.” Yeah, I’ll stick with that.

As quickie dirges go, “Forever 21″ is no “Ohio.” But, what is?

From the Cleveland Park message board: The solicitation of “neighbors” to attend a “very special evening to help educate your heart, your mind, and your palate. This is an opportunity to learn more about homelessness–and about wine. Very strange–yes, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourselves and learn what you personally can do when you encounter someone who is homeless.”

I love the “educate your heart” phrase. I love the timidity of “encounter someone who is homeless.” No wonder the numbers of homeless people are down in the District!

But where does the wine come in? Well, the Cleveland Park resident writes:

“Well - I have a friend who is training to become a somalier. He’s passed several of the tests required (you wouldn’t believe how difficult the somalier test is!), and is interested in offering wine education seminars - he’s considering this for his next career. He’s currently a wine advisor at Planet Wine in Del Ray. So this is an opportunity for us to learn more about wine, and Jose to “try out” his new career. And, the wine may make us all a bit more relaxed as we learn how each of us can help the homeless people…”

The event will be held at the Cleveland Park Club, Sunday, February 24th, from 6-8. You’ll need some RSVP action before you can get in. But would you really want to go to this?

Really lame correction: I’ve been alerted that this event was held yesterday. Ugh. So aren’t we glad we missed it?

There is no shame on the Cleveland Park message board. This–from poster Paul–takes the cake. He writes yesterday:

Before I call a plumber, does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with a stopped toilet that so far has resisted intensive plunging and snaking? Most of the “liqud plumber” concoctions specify not to use them in toilets. I did try one that didn’t; no effect.

Step 2: Anyone have a suggestion for a reliable, reasonable (i.e., inexpensive - ha!) plumber?

Can anyone help this guy out and offer some suggestions on how to fix his clogged toilet?

In a world where there are so many legitimate reasons to slam Redskins owner Dan Snyder, why are all the commentators groping for a weak one? Of course, I’m referring to the outcry over how he has handled hiring a replacement for Team God Joe Gibbs. I have trouble finding any columnist, any fan, who’ll stand up and defend the owner for doing what he’s doing.

And that’s a damn thorough job of interviewing candidates for an important position. For weeks, several promising head coach candidates have been rotating in and out of Redskins Park. I guess former defensive guru Gregg Williams had four interviews, former Giants head coach Jim Fassel has had several, Ron Meeks is at a similar frequency, and there are others too.

Can someone please tell me what’s wrong with working your ass off in the interview process, hashing it out with every decent candidate possible? According to the Washington Post, the ‘Skins appear interested in extending the search beyond the Feb. 3 Super Bowl. There are probably plenty of assholes out there who have a problem with that. Oh, they’re not going to be ready for the draft, or somesuch.

There are probably some nincompoops, too, who feel that the Skins’ recent moves to lock up a D coordinator and and O coordinator were stupid moves, considering that, hey, they haven’t even hired a head coach yet. Well, here’s a preemptive strike against any such moron: Snyder knows that head coaches are cronyists: They’ll hire who they know, no matter how good or bad they are. Coaches just want their buddies sitting alongside them in the film room as they all chew tobacco.

It’s about time that someone put the merit back in the hiring process. Thank you, Dan Snyder. (And that’s sincere.)

And one more thought: Over the weekend, the Post’s Mike Wise advanced the laughable argument that Williams should have been retained or treated better because he was the team’s strongest link to the Sean Taylor tragedy. Here’s what Wise wrote:

For everyone other than Snyder, this job search hasn’t been about Gibbs at all. It’s been about Taylor and how the team and coaches banded together to reach the playoffs without him. The healing was still progressing when Gibbs suddenly left. Williams was seen as the one link that could keep the chain of emotional recovery together.

Yes, the Taylor episode was and is an emotional hell. But I’m sorry: The search for a head coach is about moving on. If Williams was the best candidate to coach the Redskins for the next decade or so, then he should’ve been picked. If not, not.

I love the way the punditry says Williams got sandbagged, mistreated, etc., etc. Wise finds it outrageous that no one from the Redskins called Williams for more than a week after his last interview. Jeez, what a white-collar felony! Wake up–the guy got four bites at the apple. Don’t you think there’s a chance he said some stupid stuff in those sessions?

As we mentioned above in our roundup, people here love to argue over anything. Cleveland Park’s message board popped up a musty one this morning over unleashed dogs. I was all ready to snark on this really lame issue until I read a posting by Deidre Flippen. It is perhaps the most heartfelt toe dip into this issue ever:

“I feel the need to respond to the not too infrequent posts about unleashed dogs. I love dogs they are beautiful, fun, playful and just make you feel real good. But since a young school age child many years ago, I have always been afraid of dogs. I lived in NE DC and at that time “German Sheppards” were the rage. They were big and beautiful and most often unleashed when walked by owners. Moreover, even when in a yard with an enclosed fence they prowled and barked scaring me terribly when “walking” to and from school. Even today when I try to do my exercise walks, as a much older person, down and up Connecitcut Ave (sometimes off the avenue), I walk carefully and with caution by homes. And when I see or hear a dog barking, those old fears come back.

Dogs are lovely, and like even cats, must be managed, by their owners who must be responsible dog or cat owners. Let me just say that I was even a reluctant cat owner of 12 years now. I used to be afraid of Cats too. But a friend talked me into saving a stray kitty back then and I regret nary a day. She has all her sharp claws and teeth but is a mostly sweet indoor cat.
Nevertheless, when guests come over I secure her in her own space happily or monitor her with others. Anyone with Cats with claws understands. Such care has to be taken with dogs too both in the home and outside the home. Even on my own block when leaving for work in the back folks are out walking their dogs unleashed. I usually stop and make some kind of visual contact with the owner, let them know I’m there. The expectation is that if their dog is not under control they need to do something. It’s very, very uncomfortable for me. I appreciate the idea of allowing their beloved pets a little natural freedom to walk unleashed on their own steam but it can be potentially harmful or even dangerous to others (and their pets leashed). My experience is that even the sweetest dogs if encountered the wrong way will at first
act to protect their owner. And dog owners who act unresponsibly should understand and follow DC’s rules to protect our community.

So its early in the morning and I’m rambling. But I just want to say that people with dogs unleashed need to be way more sensitive to people who encounter their unleashed beloved dogs. The best thing, leash them when walking, next if you see folks, get them leashed right away and under your control. Just understand that our pets are our responsibility as a
community.

There are so many scary things out there. It seems to me that fear of pets should not be one of them in our community.”

DCist wades into a debate heating up the Cleveland Park message board. As proof that District residents will argue over anything, posters are going back and forth over whether Connecticut Avenue should have reversible lanes or not. DCist does heroic work breaking down this ridiculous spat, writing:

“Detractors claim the lanes to be unsafe for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists alike; of course, others (read: commuters) are crying bloody murder at the potential increase in traffic jams during the morning and evening rush hour on one of the city’s main arterial roadways.”

Prince of Petworth visits the Palace Five.

The Examiner checks into the school angle on the four dead sisters.

WTOP reports that neighbors are planning a vigil for the girls. Residents are asking people to come to the 4200 block of 6th Street SE at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

I got to say that Sports Talk 980 and WAMU have been very kind to Joe Gibbs all day. And it appears these superfans are already organizing a send off/tribute at Redskins Park.

The overarching theme of the coverage is that Gibbs went out on top. Do people really think that losing to the Seahawks is going out on top? Sure, the way Gibbs carried himself and his team this last month after the tragic loss of Sean Taylor was awe inspiring. But I just wanted him to get a chance to beat the Cowboys the following week. If he could have done that…

I will say this: at least Gibbs acquitted himself far better than the other ’80s-era coaching greats who tried to reclaim their glory days. Ditka’s late ’90s run with the Saints was a disaster. And Parcells didn’t exactly return the Cowboys to glory.

The gentleman behind the D.C. Sports Bog, tipped me off to another Sean Taylor item for purchase. The Skins are now getting in on the act. For $3.99 you can purchase the rally towel the team handed out before the Bills game. The money goes to the Taylor memorial fund. Also up for purchase, of course, is the Sean Taylor memorial ribbon for your car with proceeds ($4.99 per) going to the fund.

At least those items are relatively cheap and go to a worthy charity. One rally towel is currently going for $29 on Ebay.

The D.C. Sports Bog is all over the people hawking Sean Taylor death gear including the funeral program for $102.50 on Ebay. We like the “Limited Edition Sean Taylor Pop Art” poster currently bidding at $14.50.

The always reliable Prince of Petworth captures some interesting fliers posted on the Saloon’s windows.

In Sunday’s Marc Fisher column, the Post journalist discovers that Starbucks doesn’t like the homeless and hates publicity about its hating the homeless. I know it’s two days old. But if you haven’t read the column, you should.

Unusual guests at Sean Taylor’s funeral included Jesse Jackson and…O.J. From the Washington Post’s reporting today:

“Also attending was O.J. Simpson, the Hall of Fame running back who faces trial in Las Vegas on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping after a September incident involving two sports memorabilia dealers. Simpson told other attendees that he had encouraged his own alma mater, the University of Southern California, to recruit Taylor.”

Offer up jokes in the comments section.