Update: How to Use the Inaugural Bike Valet
WABA program-assistant Henry Mesias, who has provided City Desk with all sorts of timely scoops regarding the free bike valet service the association will offer on Inauguration Day, says the non-profit is fully prepared for a "bikepocalypse."  And why might he predict one?  Around this time last week, [...]

According to Washington Area Bicyclist Association program assistant Henry Mesias, it's official: WABA will be setting up bike valet stations at the Capitol on Inauguration Day. "Locations are still TBA," he writes in an email, "but there will be designated bike valet areas north and south of the event."
The nonprofit had been waiting for approval [...]

According to Chief of Staff Charles Allen, Ward 6 councilman and bike commuter Tommy Wells wants to see the Washington Area Bicycle Association triumph in its efforts to offer a free bike valet service on Inauguration Day. "He's always liked the idea of bike valet stations," says Allen, "he supported putting one in at Nationals [...]

Last Spring we tracked Positive Nature's struggle to keep its doors open. The non-profit, which provides tons of services for at-risk kids, was renting a building just blocks from the new Nationals Park. Within the last few years, it had become clear that Positive Nature was being priced out of the neighborhood. The area used [...]

One of D.C.'s main health care providers for the Latino community is facing a financial crisis. According to a recent story in El Tiempo Latino, la Clinical del Pueblo has a deficit of $500 thousand and may have to cut services soon without a bailout. The clinic serves more than 7,000 clients, most of whom [...]

For months we have chronicled Positive Nature's struggle to keep its doors open just a short walk from the Navy Yard metro and the new Nationals Park.
With the new stadium, new condo developments, and new Courtyard Marriott, the non-profit—which provides a vast safety net for at-risk kids—found itself with a huge property tax bill. [...]

Colbert I. King, longtime Washington Post editorial board member and columnist, was given a well-deserved lifetime achievement award last night by the D.C. Appleseed policy nonproft, a distinction he shared with schools expert Mary Levy and former Ward 4 Councilmember and Southeastern University President Charlene Drew Jarvis.
In his remarks accepting the award, King shared heartfelt [...]

On Tuesday, the struggling nonprofit Positive Nature has received some possible help from Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray. He introduced the "Positive Nature Property Tax Exemption Forgiveness Act."
According to the press release, the bill would:
Provide property tax relief to a unique, high-quality after school program that is threatened with closing due to skyrocketing real estate [...]

Local nonprofit Good Ground-Good Life has an innovative plan to connect with District youth. First, drive around a tricked-out box truck with mobile sound system, wireless mic, and see-through, Plexiglas back. Then, lure children inside. Finally, bring them back to a community center to educate them about AIDS, drugs, and street violence. If pressed, add [...]

For this week's Show & Tell, I spoke to a group of local writers, educators, and nonprofit  staffers working to start up a creative writing center for District youth, ages 6 to 18. The 19 volunteers have a lot of ideas for the project, but their Capitol Letters Writing Center is still very much a [...]

Today, the Washington Post published a front-page piece on Positive Nature and the non-profit's on-going struggle to pay off its huge property tax bill. We have a story or two on this issue as well.
This afternoon we got the chance to talk to Stephen T. Baron, Director of the Department of Mental Health, about the [...]

The feds aren't the only ones who practice pork-barrel politics: District politicos aren't so bad at it themselves, thank you very much. Buried in the yearly Budget Support Act are various line items funding nonprofits and other projects. This year, the draft BSA submitted by the mayor [PDF] includes about $27 million earmarked for various [...]

Positive Nature Update: The non-profit that's struggling near the new baseball stadium is seeking volunteers for its upcoming fundraising efforts. Here are the details from a PNI staffer just wrote me:
"As the Nationals stadium prepares to open it's doors to the public, we're reminded that we need your help, now, more than ever. 100 volunteers [...]

Positive Nature Gets Wonkette's Attention: Thanks to a wonderful colleague, we were directed to this post. The non-profit also has set up a page on Facebook so check it out. The news is spreading!–Jason Cherkis

On Saturday afternoon, Positive Nature held a rally in front of its building at 1017 New Jersey Avenue SE. The rally was meant to gather support for the non-profit's efforts to prevent its eviction.
Positive Nature, which runs an afterschool program for at-risk kids, faces a huge property-tax bill. Its taxes have increased significantly due to [...]