Sun & Moon

Corner of 14th & Florida. Last Sunday morning.

Post Article on H Street Trash

Today's Post features an article on all that nice trash that collects on H Street and the efforts to clean it all up. Having particpated in past MSMS clean-ups, I can tell you come across some pretty nasty stuff. I remember that we once found a pair of very soiled men's underwear outside the Bank of America at 8th & H Streets

Georgetown Symphony Orchestra Moving to Atlas Performing Arts Center

From an email I received:

Hello members of the H Street Advisory Committee and the Capitol Hill
Neighborhood,
We'd like to introduce you to the Georgetown Symphony Orchestra and let you know that we're hoping to become your neighbors in the near future. The GSO is a non-profit community orchestra formerly based in
Georgetown.

More of That Vacant 1300 Block Building

Sorry, I can't resist.


Isn't this crazy? It looks like the set for a theater production.

I love this hole in the wall too. I think this place used to be a church (based on the biblical names adorning the front steps), but I don't remember seeing this hole before. Please note that I was not inside this place. I snapped these photos from the doorway (there is a gate, but no door) of the property. See past photos of this structure here.

City Funds for H Street

Several recent articles have mentioned that the mayor's new financial plan would involve funds for the development of H Street (to the tune of $5 million). Here is today's Post article on the planned funding on neighborhood projects around the city.

Neighborhoods and Bubbles

Here is an interesting article from The New York Times about how different types of neighborhoods fare when bubbles burst.

Nifty Thift

Corner of Florida & Orren Street NE.

Urban Legends

As I suspected, Urban Legends (the business that took over Imagine U Unique's space) is a clothing store.

Washington Post Article on The Atlas

Sunday's Post featured this great article on the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

Possible False Alarm on the R&B Reopening

It's still closed. I posted the reopening news based on an email I got. I'm not sure what the deal is, but I have sent some emails to knowlegeable parties, so hopefully we can get this sorted out pretty quickly. But for now, R&B remains closed.

R&B Coffee Reopening Tonight!

I just got an email saying that R&B Coffee will will be open again starting tonight. According to the email, R&B will now be serving various food items including paninis and burritos in addition to the anticipated soups and salads.

R&B Coffee
1359 H Street NE
Closed Monday
Tuesday & Wednesday 11-7
Thursday & Friday 11-9
Saturday & Sunday 9-5
202-397-4357

News from The Voice of the Hill

Two mentioned items of interest for ANC 6A & the larger H Street Community:
-The possible moratorium on the sale of chilled singles on H Street.
-A drug house on the 800 block of F Street was seized by federal marshals. This should definitely be good news for anyone who passes through the general area from F to H Streets & from 8th to 11th Street.

* Also helping out H Street (but not mentioned in the Voice of the Hill article) is an increased police presence at 19th & Benning Road. The police have parked their (staffed) van in the location as a deterrent to crime.

Phoenix Rising

1000 Block of H Street NE. Looking west.

Revitalized Cities...But No Children

Today's New York Times includes an interesting article on the fact that as many cities, including DC, experience an urban renaissance, they also experience sharp drops in the percentage of the population under 18. Here is an earlier post on the flight of families from DC.

1300 Block of H Street NE

Looking westward.

Subway Problems: Not Just in DC

Even the New York Subway, a system generally regarded as far superior to DC's Metrorail, has been experiencing its fair share of problems lately.

DC Residents Raising Home Prices in Baltimore

Here is an article from the Baltimore Sun on how commuters from DC are causing Baltimore area homes to rise dramatically in price.

Pit Bulls in DC

I checked the blog In Shaw today and found the second report I have seen in the past 48 hours of unleashed (one seems to have been free roaming) pitbulls attacking people or dogs. The first report came from a listserve and described an incident at 16th & A NE (In Shaw's incident was at 4th & R NW). As I have mentioned before, Council Member Jim Graham has introduced a bill to ban the breed in the District. Although he has introduced similar legislation unsuccessfully in the past, this time may well be different simply because Sandy Allen (a major opponent of such legislation) no longer sits on the Council. Here is my old post on the topic (contains links to articles from The Post and The Slate). Here is the actual bill Council Member Graham introduced.

DCist on The Wholesale Food District

DCist has just posted a piece on the wholesale food district located at 5th & Morse NE. Check it out here. Also see earlier posts on the topic here and here.

Different Housing Styles in Trinidad

I decided to take my camera for a little walk through Trinidad last saturday, and I was really struck by all the different styles of houses that I saw. I shot more than a hundred photos, so the houses you see below only represent a small sample. Still, I wanted to post them for two (related) reasons:

-there isn't much information about Trinidad available online, and what is there is mostly a bunch of old articles about the neighborhood's hard times. You see words like "gritty" and "crack," but you never see the neighborhood itself.

-largely because of Trinidad's tough image, many people in DC (even those who live near Trinidad) have never really seen much of the neighborhood. I just wanted to offer a peak.

This is further up Montello (I believe these houses are from the 1600 block).

This detached house is on the 1300 block of Montello.

This is what pops into my mind when I think about the typical Trinidad rowhouse. These houses are just off Montello on Neal Street.


This shot is from the 1200 block of Montello. If this one looks vaguely familiar (and you haven't strolled down Montello recently), it could be because a very similar shot can be found on the NARPAC website.

More colorful homes, this time on Morse.

And finally...from the 1300 block of Montello.

Subterranean and Aroma Dough

This is the space where the sub sandwich shop Subterranean (1100 block of H Street) is supposed to go in. I'm wondering when they are planning on setting up shop. I know that I recently read an article (in the Voice of the Hill) that said they had a sign (through the expressive sign project) that was "pending." Another place I wonder about is Aroma Dough (600 block of H Street). Aroma Dough would be nice because it is located directly across from the H Street Farm Fresh Market. People could stop in for a cup of coffee before picking up their greens and goat cheese. Finally, that sketchy (the Health Department thought so) Chinese place on the 1100 block of H Street is gone, and has been replaced by a sign telling passersbye to watch out for the opening of a new Asian restaurant (I'm assuming at the same site). Does anyone have more information about these businesses?

Montello Deli

1700 Block of Montello. 8:30am Today.

R&B Coffee at Night

Still closed for repairs, but re-opening soon (maybe a week or so). Just try to imagine not only this sign lit up, but the first and second floor lights as well.

Lead Poisoning Linked to Violent Crime?

This is a recent cover story from the Baltimore City Paper discussing possible links between lead poisoning and violent behavior. Seems a little odd that we aren't seeing any stories like this here (or did I just miss those too?).

Thursday Night Jazz at Phish Tea

This appears to be what I photographed last night (see below). Thanks to Richard for sending it out to HSMS.

phish tea café @ 1335 H ST northeast
INVITES YOU to BN TRUTH ENT.#9474;
Presents (202-714-3963)
A BLACK & GREEN St Patrick’s Day Celebration
Thursday March 17th“THIRD THURSDAY JAZZ NIGHT”
Featuring a jazzy blues band:
DAVID COLE & MAIN STREET BLUES
5:00PM DOORS OPEN-7:00PM SHOWTIME
@ Phish Tea café 1335 H Street NorthEast DC
202-396-2345
$20.00 per person (includes light buffet and show with ½ price black & green specialty drinks)

Is seems that Phish Tea is now hosting live Jazz every Thursday.
Call them for details at (202) 396-2345.

Phish Tea at Dusk

And Conflicting with PSA 504's Meeting...

We have Council Member Phil Mendelson holding a tax assessment informational meeting. You can learn about how assessments are made, how to appeal assessments, and any credits you may qualify for. Or you could just go to the District's website on the issue. Still, Trinidad assessments did experience jumps of over 30% (the highest in the District)!

Saturday March 19
11:00 a.m.
J.O. Wilson Elementary School
660 K Street, NE.
For Trinidad & Old City I

Mr. Mendelson will also hold identical meetings throughout the city, so this is not exactly your last chance.

PSA 504 Meeting this Saturday

Come, meet your neighbors. Learn more about what's going on in your neighborhood. Eat powdered donuts and drink juice. Whatever your thing is, just come to the meeting.

Saturday
10am-11:30am

Developing Families Center
801 17th Street NE
Washington, DC

Article on Evictions

Here's a story, from the Baltimore City Paper, about an eviction crew. The story points out that forclosure petitions by mortgage lenders have dropped considerably in recent years (due to the real estate market). It would be interesting to see eviction/live writ numbers for renters.

Ever Wonder How Retailers See the Neighborhood?

I found this article on Planetizen. It's from Greater Milwaukee Today and it talks about companies like Claritas that make a business of determing who lives in a given area, and sorting the inhabitants into demographics groups to predict purchasing and behavioral patterns. Though they won't let you see details with out a paid membership, you can sneek a peak at who Claritas says dwells within in the 20002 area code.

Window

From the 1100 block of I Street NE.

More on Wi-Fi

Following up to my earlier mention of Wi-Fi on H Street, I offer this from Cool Town Studios.

Post Article on Dream

The well known night club Dream (caution, this link plays loud music) is not in Trinidad, but rather sits in our neighbor to the north Ivy City (just cut and paste the article into word if you can't read the text). Recently Dream has found itself on Chief Ramsey's bad side. The Chief of Police has written a letter asking the District's alcohol licencing board to re-examine Dream's alcohol and club licenses. The article gives a basic history of the club and it's relationship with various District personalities and agencies.

Joe Englert Elsewhere in DC

Joe Englert, the man planning to open H Street establishments Show Bar and The Olympic, will soon be opening a 1920s themed restaurant on Georgia Avenue called Temperance (the original plan called for a bar named Whiskey). This news comes from Hillscape.

Where to Go for Wi-Fi

I now know of three places H Street that offer wi-fi. R&B Coffee & H Street Playhouse both use DC Access as their provider (you do not need to be a subscriber to any service to use their wi-fi). The third location is Phish Tea Cafe. I'm not sure who the provider is for Phish Tea, but it may well be the same as for the other two establishments. So that's three newly available connections on H Street.

A Martini Bar on H Street?

The ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will be meeting tomorrow from 7-9pm. Among the topics to be discussed...a liquor license for a martini bar. A Mr. Clifton Humphries applied for the license for a business he wishes to open called H Street Martini Lounge. The proposed lounge is to be located at 1236 H Street NE. A google search revealed nothing of interest except that there is a Clifton Humphries who lives hear the H Street Corridor. 1236 is the building with the Long & Foster in the window. Unless I am mistaken, the first floor of that builiding currently has no back wall. The committee will also discuss a possible moratorium on single sales on H Street.

Joy of Motion Opening Today

Please excuse the fence in the picture. I shot this last month, and I assure you the fences are actually down. (and that tarp stuff is gone too). I peeked in the windows on Saturday, and the visible spaces in the Atlas are looking really terrific. If your schedule permits you should definitely check out Joy of Motion. They are running on a special schedule for the first two weeks that will temporarily treat many of their classes as walk-ins (some classes will always be available on a walk-in basis). Class schedule and pricing info posted here.

Fences (Mostly) Down at Atlas

Just in time for the opening of the Joy of Motion dance studios The Atlas has removed the outer fences that forced you to cross over to the north side of the street. H Street is finally shaping up. But someone should probably still do something about the caution tape in that tree.

News About R&B Coffee

By way of the HSMS listserve I heard that R&B's owner, Alphonso Morgan, is reporting a slight delay in the repairs, but expecting to reopen in about two weeks.

Something Happening at 1220 H Street

Finally. This place has been on the market forever. I'm assuming it has been sold because I saw these guys installing new locks this morning. I'll be interested to see what will happen.

Urban Legends?

I saw this (in the place of now defunct Imagine U Unique) last night when I came home from work. I haven't heard any thing about this place, but I'm assuming it might be associated with the vehicle out front (the one that says "Urban Wear"). I'm glad to see that the space won't be vacant long.

Speaking of Cultivating a Neighborhood Image...

Apparently the once notorious NYC neighborhood Bed Stuy now boasts a brand new official motto. At least they get to keep their name, which is more that I can say for Hell's Kitchen.

New Panel to Study Legal Needs of Poor

Today's Post included this article on a new commission be set up to study the (civil) legal needs of the poor, and how to better meet those needs. According to the article, the idea for this commission sprang from a 2003 report by the DC Bar Foundation that found that only 1 of every ten people living in poverty in the District had access to necessary legal services. The order establishing the District of Columbia Access to Justice Commission is available here (it's short, read it). Here is a link to another article on the 2003 report that the Post article references. Here is the actual 2003 report.

Corner of 12th & I Street

Taken on our most recent snowy morning.

Age Trends in the DC Population

There is an article in today's Post about who's coming to DC, who's staying put, and who's leaving town. Essentially the piece is mostly stuff that you've seen before (new numbers, but you already had the idea):

1. DC's population shark between 2000-2004 *The city doesn't like to admit this is true since they are supposedly trying to attract new residents to raise the District's population. But who are they kidding? You take a house with a big family living in it (maybe the adult children still live with their parents?). You sell this house to some young couple for half a million dollars, and the original inhabitants hightail it to Prince George's. Now repeat the process, but this time do it with a big rooming house, or a place that used to be split into apartments. How do you not lose population?

2. DC is attracting more people age 25-34.

3. DC is losing people age 35-54 *News flash! Residents leave the city when it's time to have kids!

So once again it comes down to the school system. DC can't retain families because as, a whole (obviously there are exceptions), the public schools suck.

Another Post Article on the Wholesale Foods District

The wholesale food district made the Post again today. This time the area was the focus of the article, instead of just a brief note. I think it's really terrific to see the markets get a little attention. I'd like to write more on this, but I'll have to come back to it later. For now just check out my earlier post on the topic.

Music Venues and "Making" an Area

The following is a response to a post on the blog Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space about why music venues are good for revitalization, and just generally making an area cool.
A concert space would be great. I'm sure one would run into major opposition from people afraid of noise pollution. But Richard is right, people will head to some out of the way little place for a good concert. Perhaps a place like this might follow the opening of Joe Englert's bars (not so much the sports bar, but Show Bar might do it). A concert space would be good because it would pretty much ensure some night time traffic. Night time traffic means customers for any coffee shops/restaurants/diners that might stay open late. Foot traffic also makes an area safer simply because there are people around. Hey, maybe if we had decent foot traffic late, people would stop illegally dumping trash in front of the Salvation Army on Saturday nights. A final note is that you can have concerts even in very small spaces (check out Saint-EX, which is really a bar cafe, but does host small concerts, and is currently making a splash with its IPod Night).

Madonna at Holy Name Church

A Virgin Mary statue welcomes vistors to Holy Name Catholic church on 11th Street between I and K.

DCist on Metro Buses (Part Three)

DCist has posted the latest in its (3 part?) series on Metro buses. No time for a response right noe, but here's what I've said before (this earlier post links to another recent post leading to parts I & II of DCist's series).

R&B Coffee Temporarily Closed for Repairs

R&B Coffee, at 1359 H Street NE, has very temporarily shut it doors so that the owner, Alphonso Morgan, can make a few changes. He plans to add a new display case to accommodate the sandwiches and salads that patrons have requested. He is also working on expanding into the space on the second floor. No news yet on when R&B will reopen, but Alphonso promises that the closing will be brief, and that the changes will be worth it. He is actively soliciting suggestions regarding food items (sandwiches, soups, and salads). See his website for details.

Opening of the Atlas

Here is a nice article on the opening of the Atlas (from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington).

Hillscape Column on Cody Rice and Joseph Fengler

I just wanted to point you to this Hillscape column from The Hill.

Corner of Florida and Montello

Just for the hell of it here's a photo taken on a recent snowy morning (it doesn't aways look quite that bleak). That's Brother's Liquor on the right and Eastern Heating and Plumbing on the left.

Follow-up on Post About Attracting Crowds to Emerging Main Streets

There is a post on the blog Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space that responds to an article (from Cool Town Studios) that I had linked to previously. The piece from Cool Town is specifically about Center City in Philadephia, but the response on Rebuilding aims to revamp it for DC (and H Street in particular).

Public Transportation Use In and Around DC

Yesterday's Post had an article entitled "Commuters Like Metro More Than They Use It." Basically the article focused on the fact that only 9% of area residents surveyed regularly take Metrorail to work (we aren't told told how many take Metrobus, or how many actually walk to work). So, yeah the number is very low (it might have been nice to also see some numbers on how many people use metro to attend recreational activities). Metrorail is not everywhere we want it to be. This does present a problem since many people either refuse to take the bus on principle, or simply don' t know the routes. This brings me to another item from Sunday's Post, this (you need to scroll down, and it does continue on the next page) is a snippet from the Dr. Gridlock column. A frustrated citizen has written in complaining about the epidemic lack of updated bus schedules and maps (even the recent, and rare, large shelter maps give old fare information). Metro responds that they have a contractor who is supposed to update time tables and maps. Bottom line, these things never get updated. Even when people are willing to ride the bus in this city, Metro doesn't exactly make it easy. You can used The Ride Guide, and you can call the hotline, but the hotline is a bit stupid about times, and you can't always log on to check The Ride Guide. If you want a comprehensive map, don't expect it to be free. No, you'll be paying, and waiting in line (woe to you with the short lunch hour) to get your copy. If Metro wants more people to use buses, why can't it get its act together and just get the info at the stops updated. After it gets that done, maybe it will consider giving away maps like you can get in other cities. Check out this other recent post on the topic.

Joy of Motion Releases Schedule for Spring Classes

Joy Motion has posted Spring class schedules on its website. Classes begin March 14th.

Old Sears Site

I wanted to post something about the condos I keep hear will be built behind the CVS over by Hechinger mall (at the old Sears site), but I can't seem to find any real information aside from this old Washington Post article. Does anyone have any more information about this project?

Redevelopment in Northeast & the DC Farmer's Market

Yesterday's Post featured an article on the recently released report "Northeast Gateway: Many Neighborhoods, One Community." According to the article, the report focuses on strategies for revitalization Ward 5 while protecting its residents from the problems that often accompany gentrification. I personally found the most interesting part of the article to be the discussion of the Dc Farmer's Market (and the wholesale foods district that surrounds it). I know that there is already some construction/renovation going on in the immediate area (I think as a spillover of the NY Ave action), and I have seen a sketch, or two of the plans. But I am thrilled to learn (from the article) of even the suggestion of putting in a culinary school. You have a lot of great old buildings in the wholesale foods district, but many have fallen into disrepair, and I suspect that the rough look of the area (and the fact that some of the stores don't do retail sales) keep away many potential visitors. The area needs a scrub down, more stores like A. Litteri's (places that will bring people in), and (eventually) some restaurants, and a coffee shop. The location, on the other hand , is terrific. Located just down the street from the NY Ave metro, a spiffed up market could easily attract crowds.
[Addition: If you want to check out the DC Farmer's Market, here is the info:
1309 5th St., NE
Tuesday, 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m]

Empty Spaces on the 1300 Block of H Street

This is the black and white version of a photo I posted earlier.

This is the proposed space for the garden center rumored to be coming to H Street. I say "Hello fresh herbs. Goodbye illegal razor wire."

Sure You Can Take the Subway from Times Square to the Wild West, but Can You Watch TV on the Way?

As part of a promotion for the HBO series Deadwood, a New York MTA car will be temporarily dolled up in saloon style. For peek try a 3/2/05 post on Curbed. To read more try this article in the NY Post. In other train related news, Atlanta is adding tvs and radio to its subways in a bid to raise advetising revenue. We may start seeing similar changes in DC. For a little refresher you can refer back to this old DCist piece. We have to pay for metro somehow, but I suspect some people are not going to be happy.

Pit Bull Ban in DC?

Today's Post includes an article on Council member Jim Graham's push to ban pit bulls in the District (present pets would be exempted from the ban, but would have to be sterilized). It seems that Graham's past efforts in this area were repeatedly squashed by former Council member Sandy Allen. It isn't clear that the measure will pass, but several members have offered at least reserved support. Council member Marion Barry wants to add rottweilers to the ban. Certainly these are not the only breeds of dogs that can and do seriously injure people. Based on a rather unfortunate interaction with a german shepard, I can tell you they can be pretty aggressive, and I think we all know that a presa canaria can inflict some serious damage. Other council members objected that a breed specific ban would be ineffective. My view is that if you choose to live in the District, you choose to surrender the right to possess/use certain items deemed hazardous. This category includes items like fireworks and handguns (where was it the other day that I heard/saw statistics about what a large portion of guns recovered during drugs busts were shot guns?), but I'm not sure if it should include dogs that have not previously been violent (although when they are violent the cost can be inexcusably high). The question is really about whether we want treat dogs with certain physical characteristics as high risk weapons (we may ban assault rifles, but regard shotguns as acceptable). Certainly the prosecution has treated them that way in some high profile cases (like this and this). Here is a column that The Slate ran a while back on the issue of violent dogs. From The Slate article:

Contrary to stereotype, retrievers, poodles, and other popular breeds are much more likely to bite people than pit bulls or rottweilers. They also, as a rule, do less damage.

An Urban Garden in Chicago

This is a 2003 article from The New York Times. I remember reading it when it first ran, and feeling really struck by the juxtaposition of fancy organic produce and Cabrini Green. The garden in the story is not a traditional community garden, but that's what it makes me think of anyway. I see a few around my area (I think there's one at 13th & Wylie), but nothing big. I did find an article about community gardening in Brookland.

Want more info on gardens at Cabrini Green? Try these links:

Seeds of Change
Chicago Fourth Takes Root in Community
Risky Agribusiness
A Project Within the Projects

And here's why I'm thinking about Cabrini Green:
It's Bleak, But it's Home

In Anticipation of the Opening of Joy of Motion

...(or at least their newest site) I present a frontal photo of the Atlas. The entrance to the Joy of Motion studios is actually a couple of doors down, but it is currently obscured by metal fencing. So remember, March 14th is the opening date. The studio will offer classes for both children and adults. A wide range of classes will be offered, including, among others, yoga, hip hop, ballroom dancing & salsa.

The DC's Housing Bubble Will Burst? Think Again.

The Wall Street Journal today had an article discussing a new report released by The PMI Group that, among other things, discusses real estate bubbles and rates the likelihood that housing prices in a given market will decline in the next ten year. The report gave the DC metro area a risk index of 151 (meaning there is 15% chance of area prices declining). The top rating went to Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH with a risk index of 533. I haven't had time to read full report yet, but the charts are good even if you are feeling lazy.

DCist on Metro Buses

Today I'm suggesting you take a look at two recent articles, courtesy of DCist, that discuss the bus riding experience in DC.

Looking at Our Metro Bus: Part I & Part II

Buses definitely deserve a little respect in this city (face it, metrorail won't always get you where you want to go). I remember that key buses like the X2 (the H Street line) continued to run even when metrorail shut down during the big snow storm in 2003. During that storm taxis charged double fares (plus they mostly just ran on main streets), and since side streets weren't plowed you couldn't get your own car out. So buses and walking became the only way to get around. I was impressed by the hourly X2 service during that storm, but I am less impressed that Metro requires me to pay ($1.75 I think) and stand around in long lines just to obtain a bus map (don't other cities just give these things away?).