A regular summary of irregular news and notes from neighborhood blogs and email lists around the District.

Parking Fairies: From the Bloomingdale blog comes an announcement by a local resident who has convened a “parking focus group” because, “…CM Thomas and Dr. Johnson expressed that they wanted to empower members of the community to take charge and address some of the concerns and issues within their own communities. Parking was noted as one of the prevalent issues.” Though the post contains no word on what kind of problems and solutions will be addressed at the upcoming April 7 community meeting with a DDOT official, a commenter is already concerned: “Why do you have to hate on the positive growth the community is showing? These businesses are building a stronger community – shouldn’t you be proud to live in a community that has such fine neighborhood businesses?” Or, maybe this’ll just be Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.‘s chance to promote his fondness for Sunday morning angle parking.

Harbor Ferries: American River Taxi began its operation quietly last year, but Southwest…The Little Quadrant That Could reports that the company could be making more of a splash during its 2011 season. Per its website, “Water Taxi stops include Georgetown / Washington Harbor Landing, The Wharf : Main Landing at Gangplank Marina, and The Yards / Nationals Stadium Landing (Diamond Teague Terminal). The travel time between stops ranges from 20 to 35 minutes, following the current government speed regulations on the river.” Reportedly, more stops (“Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, Poplar Point, and Reagan National Airport”) will be added, too. If you’re not excited, at least former DDOT director Gabe Klein is.

JBG, Sowing: The Washington Business Journal reports that developer JBG is boosting its investment portfolio in the U Street corridor by “assembling and bidding” for several historic buildings in the area. In response to the posting of the article on the U Street News email list, a resident says, “This will be interesting. Development on the Metro Parcels were stalemated up for about 4 years has CM Graham battled to pay-to-play the Metro sites to his team LaKritz-Alder and the Fenty administration to Banneker Development. Now we have JBG who has the muscle but little [track] record in non-downtown neighborhoods.” This news complements last week’s Housing Complex column, wherein “developer farms” were discussed as a good thing for neighborhoods.

Scurlockian: Left for LeDroit continues to explore the archives of photographer Addison Scurlock with jaunts into the neighborhood’s past. Featured recently: 7th and T streets NW in 1939 and after the 1968 riots, and Ethical Pharmacy—which occupied the building that will host the forthcoming Shaw’s Tavern.