Can You Identify This Mistreated Dog's Owner?

More sad Christmas news. Hopefully someone recognizes this dog.

Further Update on the Robbery/Non-Fatal Shooting

Here's the latest from MPD-5:

On Thursday, at 11:10 am, 4 juveniles entered the market at 1364 Florida Ave NE with a handgun. They robbed the cash register of an undetermined amount of money and the male owner of the store was shot in the back of his right leg. He was transported to an area hospital in stable condition. No arrests have been made at this time.

Robbery/Non-Fatal Shooting Update

The location where I believe the shooting occurred.

Here's what I've been told:
Per MPD, the shooting occurred at 1369 A [NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT ADDRESS] (a market that is presumably the One Stop) on the corner of Florida and Staples. Four black male teenagers (estimated to be between 15-17 years of age wearing hooded jackets attempted to rob the corner store. During the attempt they shot the owner in the foot, and then fled into Trinidad. This market is directly across the street from the BP station.


View Larger Map
The map shows it in the middle of the street, but it is (see the photo above) actually on the corner.

Possible Shooting on Florida Ave

I just got this on my cell. Nothing further at this point, except that I'm getting reports from residents on the scene that there is nothing happening there. No cops, not tape, nothing. The address is kind of weird, so I'll let you know when I hear more.:

Robbery/Shooting/gun/ 13654 Florida Avenue, NE/LOF: 4 B/M's 15-17 years of age with dread locs and black hooded coats/do not take action call 911 DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #

Sent on: 12/24 11:44

Sent by DC Police Alert to e-mail, pagers, cell phones....powered by Cooper Notification RSAN

Urban Turf Checks Out the Oasis

The Oasis during construction
Local real estate blog Urban Turf takes a look at the Capitol Hill Oasis (do a search to find the archive postings on this one).

Christmas Soldiers

Old Theaters on H Street

Demolished in 1955, it stood at 624 H Street. Photo from the Library of Congress.

Other old theaters on H Street and Florida Ave:


[1913-1955]
Apollo Theatre
624 H St NE
AKA: Grandalls Apollo

[1906-?]
Diamond Theatre
1342 H St NE

[1910-?]
Dixie Theatre
800-02 H St NE


[1913-?]
Empire Theatre
911 H St NE

[1913-1925]
Florida Theatre
1438 Florida Ave NE

I found this info here. In case you were wondering, the Atlas was built in 1938.

What are We SuppOSED to Capitalize aNywaY?

This post comes from a teacher I once had when I was a kid. I can't be sure which one, but I think it was Social Studies. Regardless, I wrote a paper and I capitalized "Black," but didn't capitalize "white."  The comment written on my paper told me not to capitalize one without the other. At the time I saw one, but not the other capitalized in certain circles. I've come to agree that both should be capitalized if one is, but that neither really means what it once meant. And what did these words really mean anyway? The younger we get, the more we mix, whether sexually, or just in terms of friends, we are not like our parents. I'm 31. The kids tens years younger than me are much more so. I think that is great. I'm not claiming we're a post a racial society. I know we're not, and I'm not quite sure what that even means. I do think we are moving towards a more racially integrated society on H, and maybe H Street is moving to a more class integrated society. A class integrated society is much harder.

In college I studied post-colonial lit. with a focus on Jamaica. Jamaica, for obvious reasons, has lots of interesting racial issues. A theme (and maybe this was just me) that seemed to run through it was that each generation held more hope, and as the older generation died off (or maybe changed), things got much better in terms of racial harmony. I'm not so big on the older generation dying off part (my grandmother has always been very racially progressive, and very progressive in terms of gay rights). But I understand the overall theme. I've gotten off topic. I meant to make us think about what we capitalize, and why we do so.  What does it really mean to capitalize Black, and White, when so many people are both, of a those, and/or a combo of so many other things? Sorry if this is a late night musing, but, really...what are we to do now?

A Nice Response

I saw this in the comments and felt it worth reposting.  The poster brings up some great points. I'll start with an overheard comment from the Argonaut.: "When I first started coming here a few years ago a few Black people came here, but now it's all White people. All White hipsters, that's just the way it goes." This came from a White woman with gray hair. Just because I like to count I counted three Black customers and one Black bartender (on a VERY EMPTY night) when she said that. I will say that the Argonaut has more White customers than it did Two years ago, but (having actually worked there), the clients are VERY MIXED in terms of race and class. It depends on the night, and the floor, and timing. But If you think the Argonaut is just a White place (let alone a White hipster place!)...you don't know the Argonaut. The Argo is a decent neighborhood family spot for anyone to grab a bite, or a drink. I've heard people talk about feeling uncomfortable in certain places, but I've yet to hear a single person say that about the Argo.

snirtanion has left a new comment on your post "Colbert King: DC Subsidizes H Street Partiers":

I expect that many of you have experience writing letters to the editor/op-ed's in your profession. Rather than just making snarky comments in critiquing Joe's response, why not make your voice heard with the editorial board at the Post?

Send your 200 words or less letter to letters@washpost.com including home address, e-mail address, and home and business telephone numbers. Although they likely won't publish them all, they read them and our letters can educate the editorial staff on the realities of our community.

Mine is below:

Mr. King’s attempt to shoehorn race into his discussion of the H Street shuttle (“District Subsidizes H Street Partiers”) was very disappointing to read. Although racial and class divisions remain important issues in the revitalization of the H street area, a careful analysis of the benefits of restoring funding should not be obscured by his shameful attempts at stoking emotions.

Mr. King’s sets up so strawmen, it is difficult to know where to begin. First, there are no income analyses or class barriers stopping anyone from taking the shuttle – black or white, rich or poor. In fact, the shuttle itself is free – hardly a classist pricing scheme. Thankfully, the patrons of the new H street businesses are also neither solely white nor well-to-do. As an H street homeowner, I am pleased to see our businesses filled with a cross-section of the city – including those from “different areas of the city and the surrounding regions."

The simple fact is that this area does not currently have adequate public transportation options. There is not yet an easily accessible metro station. And while the X2 and X8 are indeed options, they are regularly cited as some of the busiest and most in need of improvement bus lines in the city. If Mr. Colbert ever deigned to actually take the X2 - as I do ever day – he would find that the buses are often dirty, woefully overcrowded and traveling slow, poorly designed routes. Rather than a means of class segregation, the Shuttle simply serves as something of an express option, with less stops and a focus on expediting customers between a busy metro and our area’s main business center.

The city itself recognized this need in deciding to restore street cars. With the difficult business environment created by their construction, it is hardly surprising the city has chosen to do what it can to protect its investment. Otherwise, we could end up with the worst-case scenario: multiple transportation lines and nowhere to take them to. That would be the ultimate waste of the city’s resources. Even Mr. King should agree with that. 

Enjoying the Snowy Weekend

I just finished what will hopefully be my last attempt at shoveling the front stairs and walk. I did salt beforehand, but that won't do much against this level of snow. Yesterday around 12:30pm I ventured out with a friend on H Street to take some photos. We had planned to get a hot beverage at Sova, but ran into a couple of friends headed to the Pug. We joined up, and ended up spending the next few hours there (more friends kept calling and showing up). I hadn't been to brunch at the Pug in a while. For those who don't know, Pug serves something called Hangover Hash. Really it is sausages, more sausage, potatoes, peppers, and lots of white gravy.  You may feel your arteries beginning to clog just reading about it, but it was the perfect meal for an icy day.

The Pug had a smallish crowd when we arrived (around 1pm), but that changed fast. More neighbors showed up, and I spotted a table of folks from Sticky Rice (closed), and staff from Sova (closed), granville's (open), and the Country Club (open, I think). There was even an unplanned jam session involving a guitar, a ukulele, and an accordian.  After that I trudged over to the house of a friend where we watched Fargo, and Y Tu Mama Tambien over multiple cups of tea, ships, olives, and a small amount of Hornitos Reposado.

From there I headed home, encountering two vehicles stuck in the alley over my one block treck home. Once there I exchanged texts with friends who were considering heading to Little Miss Whiskey's for a Blizzarding Party that featured half price everything behind the bar. I was happy to stay home with a book at that point, but I heard it was quite the occasion.

How did you spend the snowy weekend?

I have a few photos to upload soon, and please share your photos by uploading them to the Frozen Tropics Flickr group.

WP: Car Jackings Alarm Capitol Hill Residents

I think we've all seen emails regarding these frightening attacks. The Post reports further .

Colbert King: DC Subsidizes H Street Partiers

The Post columnist is not too happy about the return of the publicly funded H Street Shuttle.

And here's a copy of an email sent to Mr. King in response to the column. This email was written and sent by Joe Englert:

Mr. King,

My name is Joe Englert and I own several buildings and several bars and restaurants in the H Street N.E. corridor. I am proud to be part of a group of businesses that call ourselves The Atlas District.
First, let me say, I really love your columns and your incite into the city and its neighborhoods. Thanks for being a civic treasure.
I appreciate your point of view that the H street shuttle might not be the most important thing for the city to fund at this time.
But isn't it time Northeast and other areas not-so downtown and not-so corporate got a small, small sliver of the pie? The city gave Abe Pollin a metro stop and a slew of tax breaks for his Chinatown Palace. Then Ted Lerner and sons got $700 million at the Navy Yard. Adrian Fenty is dropping swimming pools and athletic fields onto D.C. like American pilots dropping candy into post-World War II Berlin. These are guys with clout.
Sorry, but the couple of hundred of us small business men and women on H don't have a whiff of clout. We are not Fortune 500 folks. We don't get TIF funding or EZ Bonds. We don't get tax forgiveness or deference. And unlike the untold expensive programs that have spent millions on H and produced nothing; we actually are creating jobs, vision, hope and even some sales tax and property tax for the city.
Drop in for dinner some time. I will buy you a bowl of mussels or a fine Belgian Ale (As featured on the Food Network). We can play putt putt or buy an espresso or a gourmet pie. We can catch a national blues or rock act, too. Unlike the H of the past 5 decades, we can sit down for dinner, not order it through bullet-proof glass. This happened because many of us on H have put our money, passion and time on the line to create something out of a very forlorn street. About a dozen of us have spent hundreds of thousands of our own dollars to clean the streets, too. Before the H Street shuttle, we paid for our own fleet of cabs and mini-vans to transport people to and fro. We spent thousands of our own dollars for the H Street Festival. And this month, we started having our own police force on the street. Guess who foots 50% of the bill? We do, the small businesspeople of H.
I know you embraced and came to love H in a completely different era. But many, many young people and the vast majority of Metropolitan Washington have never been to H. It is hard to navigate our street during a 14 block and 36 month renovation. Why not make it easy for people to discover and cherish the neighborhood you once did as a young man?
Come and join us for a good time. We are confident we can show you the way!

Respectfully, sincerely, Joe Englert

And Because It's Cold..

DC Department of Human Services

HELP US SAVE A LIFE THIS WINTER

If you see someone who is homeless and may need assistance, call the

Hypothermia Shelter Hotline

1-800-535-7252 or 311

You could save a life.

Commissioner Fengler Resigns From ANC 6A Due to Move

He sent out the following note:

Farewell - my last letter…‏
From: Joseph Fengler
Sent: Fri 12/18/09 11:48 AM

My wife and I (and our dog Missy) purchased a home in the Lincoln Park community - just a mile to the south. Accordingly, I have resigned my position as ANC 6A02 Commissioner. It has been an honor to work with many of you over the last seven years to make our community a better place to live and work. If there is one thing I can leave with you, it would be to volunteer two hours a month to serve on an ANC 6A committee. Many of the accomplishments attributed to ANC 6A are a direct result of residents taking the time to get involved and provide insight on zoning, liquor license, and public safety issues. It is my firm belief that an ANC will only be as good as the volunteers that donate their time to make great things happen. I will be attending the ANC 6A meeting on January 14 to say my last goodbye (7pm at Miner Elementary School located at the 600 block of 15th Street, NE ). If you have a chance to attend so I can say farewell in person that would be great -- and you can volunteer for a committee!


Holiday Regards, Joe Fengler

Thunder Snow

Here's a short YouTube video of thundersnow.

It's Going to be COLD

Pick up the snow melt, and make sure you have toilet paper and a good dvd/book because you won't want to go out tomorrow morning. Forecasters are predicting a massive thunder snowstorm. The storm is supposed to dump 7-14" inches on us. That's pretty big for DC.

H Street Shuttle Returns Today

It's back, and ahead of schedule (Dec. 21st) too! Go ahead and read that press release:


H Street Shuttle to Resume Service Friday December 18th



(Washington, DC) The popular H Street Shuttle will resume its nightly service Friday December 17, 2009. The free shuttle, which connects the emerging H Street Corridor with both Chinatown and Minnesota Avenue Metro stations, ceased operations due to the end of its initial funding. Funding renewal was slow to arrive and the shuttle ceased operations after Sunday December 6th.



After a public outcry the Department of Transportation has identified funds to continue the free service through the fiscal year. Local entrepreneur Joe Englert, an owner of several popular nightlife destinations along H Street expressed great relief at the news. “I’m elated that we have the shuttle back. It’s integral to the corridor’s success have safe reliable transportation while H Street undergoes its remarkable transformation and metamorphosis. “



The shuttle, while popular, has met with some detractors who say the route mimics that of existing bus routes. “That’s not really the issue here, “ said Scott Kenison, Chief Operating Officer of the Atlas Performing Arts Center, “It’s not about whether or not patrons will ride the bus. It is about the dozens of new businesses which have taken a chance to locate in a neighborhood which has not been known as a destination for the arts and entertainment. The Streetscape project will be fabulous when it is all completed but we need to make sure these businesses to survive the process. ”



Kenison is referring to the reconstruction of H Street an extensive multi-year project which will result in new walkways, tree canopy and lighting. A final piece of the renovation will be the return of Streetcars to H Street. “We have always understood the shuttle to be a temporary solution,” said Kenison, “To mitigate the negative ramifications of the road construction and to act as a precursor to the streetcar.”



U Street Parking and Transportation runs the shuttle for the H Street Business Cooperative, a group of H Street businesses such as business, such as the Rock and Roll Hotel, the H Street Country Club, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, SOVA, the Argonaut Tavern, Granville Moore's, The Pug, Sticky Rice and many others.



U Street Parking Co-owner Ben Tesfaye was thrilled to hear he will be able to get the shuttles back up and running. “This is such great news! People really love the shuttle. Our drivers are ready to get back to work! “

Black Nativity @The H Street Playhouse

Black Nativity - December 10-January 3.
H Street Playhouse, 1365 H Street
http://theateralliance.tix.com
or call 202-399-7993 ext. 2


"Black Nativity is a celebration that tells the original story of the Nativity in scripture, verse, music and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke, combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes, this song-play touches a special chord in the hearts of all."

Bus Routes D3, D4, and D8

Metro is making some changes that take effect right after Christmas. Click on the individual bus name for a route map. Metro has done a pretty good job publicizing these changes, so I'm pretty sure anyone who reads the news probably knows about these changes. But, just in case.

HSCC For Half Off

Living Social features the H Street Country Club today. The deal is you pay $25 to buy a voucher from the site, and then that $25 buys you $50 at the Country Club. Cheers! And don't forget to tip on the full amount!

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor...Plumber?

I was going to just add this to a comments thread, but they I realized that we are actually entering broken pipe season, and such info might be of use to lots of people. Does anyone know a good plumber? I'm looking to get estimates for a small shower issue that will involve replacing a diverter and some fixtures, at the least. Not a huge job, but I just need to make sure it is done right this time.

An Interesting Feature on Google Street View

I thought I'd post this after the unusual image of 519 H Street was discussed here recently.