Reactions to the Market Tour

Here's a link to a post from the Washington Post's Express, whose editor was on hand this past Saturday for the tour of the Capital City Market, about the market & the New Town proposal. Here's a post from In Shaw, who was also in attendance. Last, but not least, is the post offered by Rebuilding Place.

The Long Haul

An alley in the Capital City Market Area

Police Action Locally

The Post includes this mention of a stabbing in the 1700 block of Benning Road. There seems to have been lots of action around here recently. Yesterday a portion of the 1300 blockk of Florida Ave was bloked off with police tape & multiple officers were seen at the scene. I also heard about what appeared to be a massive bust of some sort on Neal Street. A commentor to a previous post mentioned an incident at 12th & G Street. Anyone know of anything else, or have any details about these events? Is there a mini crime wave in the neighborhood, or are the police just more visible? Take a look at these recent Post pieces on the crime emergency:

Crime Meaqsures Derided as Too Little, Too Late
Sentries in the Shadows

Rebuilding Place: Rebuilding a District

Richard writes about the branding of districts, and about H Street more specifically.

Baltimore Sun on Palace of Wonders

Thanks to Rebuilding Place for the heads up about this Baltimore Sun piece on the new bar.

Recent Palace of Wonders Mentions

Not only have they been getting lots of attention from the papers, but Palace of Wonders has also made quite a splash with some DC bloggers & photographers (bonus points if you find the photo of ANC Comissioner Joe Fengler).

1. Blogwad: H is for Hipster
2. Grateful Dating: No Worries
3. Damien Chua: Three Cheers for Live Entertainment
4. Jodasm: Palace of Wonders
5. Brightest Young Things: Palace of Wonders Grand Opening
6. Temple of the Code Monkey: Palace of Wonders & the H Street Revival
7. Wonkette: To Do: Enjoy A Safe Non-Sexual Enviroment
8. Blog Vivant: Atlas District is Coming Alive
9. DC Metro Blogs: Crawling Down H Street
10. You Know You Want To: Weekend Blab
11. NationalsPride.Com: Celebrating at the Palace of Wonders

Flashback

Here's a shot of the three pool players at Argonaut during its tvless (due to a robbery) days. The "MISSING" sign in the back indicates where the tv originally hung. The Argonaut has since replaced the stolen flatscreen.

Post: Sideshow or Rock Show?

The post looks at the Red & the Black with a mention of next-door neighbor Palace of Wonders.

Capital City Market Tour Tomorrow!

Yes it's last minute notice, but come if you're available. No Korean food this time (due to the demise of Young's), but we will finish up with sandwiches from Litteri's.
Click here for more details about tomorrow morning's tour. Click here for the rough list of stops (minus Young's) on the tour.

Brunch @ the Argonaut

just a reminder that the Argonaut is now serving brunch on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am-4pm. I don't have a copy of the menu, but I'm told that they serve up all the brunch standards & then some.

Ohio Restaurant Launches Website

They haven't got the menu up there yet, but you can get a taste of the place by visiting http://www.theohiorestaurant.com/. Photos by yours truly.

City Paper Samples The Ohio

Check out the write up here. The Ohio is located on the northwest corner of 14th & H Streets.

Kaiser Family Day @H Street Farmers Market

BIDs & Main Street: What Are They?

Considering all the recent chatter about BIDs & HSMS (I'm not even going to touch the (often called corrupt) H Street CDC) I thought I'd offer a few links on the Main Street idea & BIDs (but I'm mostly going to give you stuff from Rebuilding Place since he is covering the topic & I'm in a bit of a time crunch studying for a Property final tomorrow). Please do click on the BID links above, as they go to pretty useful sites & not just to the discussions you may have seen flying around).

Rebuilding Place: Business Improvement Districts -Update (check out the link to the Adams Morgan Mains Street page & please note that Alex Padro is also an ANC member).

Rebuilding Place: Frankenstein Begat His Monster -Specifically about HSMS, but please remember that Richard's involvement with HSMS is a bit of a sore spot, so it isn't realistic to think that he can be completely objective on this point. Richard mentions CDBG funds in this post. Here's a little info on those.

A planning course at UNC Chapel Hill's explanation of BIDs

Hell's Kitchen.Net's info on BIDs

Business Improvement Districts & Innovative Service Delivery -a report from 1999 looking at BIDs nationwide (pdf)

Reason Online -Beyond Public & Private: Business Improvement Districts Don't Fit Our Ordinary Categories

Cornell's Dept of City & Regional Planning -Business Improvement Districts: Issues in Alternative Local Public Service Provision

The Capitol Hill BID

Gardening Project @Model Cities Day Care

Thank you to everyone who helped on the first gardening day. If you haven’t seen the work yet, look at the rear outdoor play area.

We Now Need Your Help With Gardening Project Day 2!


Who: Parents, Teachers, Staff, Kids & Neighbors
What: Prep the garden area
Where: The back garden at Model Cities Day Care (1125 Neal Street)
When: Saturday July 29 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Why: Because we want to improve our kids’ play area and help them learn about gardening.

RSVP by sending an email with "garden project" in the title to inked78[at]hotmail.com (I'll put you in touch with the organizer)

HSMS: No Support For Bid Expansion

H Street Main Street gave a thumbs down to the idea of expanding the Capitol Hill BID (Business Improvement District) to include H Street. Recently, local ANC Commissioners has been talking hopefully with the BID about the possible expansion. The supporters' hope was that working with a pre-existing organization would help keep costs down & allow things to run smoothly. There was previously a proposal for an H Street specific quasi-BID program, but it fizzled somewhat due to funding and other issues.

The Other White House

Staples Street.

Express: Palace of Wonders Break-in Noted

See the mention in the Express here.

Another Sneak Peak

Inside the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1300 block of H Street).

Abdo In The News

The Post offers this piece on Jim Abdo (the highest profile developer involved in the condo developments on the site of the Children's Museum). The article mentions H Street, but focuses on the NY Ave site Abdo plans to redevelop. Though this site is a bit removed from here, its redevelopment could have a large impact. For more info on recent developments on the Children's Museum site (Senate Square) click here.

Palace of Wonders Burglarized

1210 H Street, Palace of Wonders (AKA Showbar), was hit early this morning. Someone smashed in the glass in the front door to gain entry. No word yet on the extent of the damage/loss.

Rosedale Citizen's Alliance Cleanup Tomorrow

From a listserv:

Morning,

My name is Ken Granata and I am leading RCA's (Rosedale Citizens
Alliance) July Street Clean-up. I apologize for the last-minute
posting, but I wanted to invite everyone to come and support our
neighborhood clean-up efforts. This is a great opportunity to meet
your neighbors and DC government staff that might be able to join us.
We appreciate any time, materials and support given to help make our
neighborhood streets safe and clean for everyone's enjoyment.

Here is the clean-up information:

Streets to Clean: 300 & 400 Blocks of 18th Street, NE (...and the
1700 & 1800 blocks of D Street if time/volunteer-power permits)

When: July 22, 2006 from 9-11AM

Meeting Location: 18th & D Street, NE

DPW's "Helping Hand Neighborhood Clean-up" will be contributing
equipment (rakes, brooms, shovels and trash-bags) and picking-up the
filled trash bags we collect afterwards.

Thank you and we hope to see you this Saturday morning!

Ken Granata

Green Kids Day Tomorrow @ Farmers Market

Where: south side of the 600 block of H Street

When: the market runs from 9am-12pm, but tomorrow's kids activities don't start until 10am.

What: another good reason to make the trip to the market a family outing. Come for the activities, or for the great food & flowers.

Les Dames d’Escoffier, Washington, DC invites you and your family to a FREE
GREEN KIDS AT MARKET DAY!!!
Saturday, July 22 10:00 am – 12 noon
Renowned area female chefs, culinary leaders and students will present kid-friendly cooking demonstrations and tastings of local seasonal foods at five area Farmers’ Markets. Join us for:
butter making, market treasure hunts, food arts and crafts, prize drawings on the hour, and more!
http://www.lesdamesdc.org/

Crime Time

Here is today's Post article about the emergency bill the Council passed to deal with the recent jump in crime in DC. Under the emergency legislation (which lasts 90 days, but could later be made permanent) the curfew for those younger than 18 would be 10pm. The new legislation also calls for survellance cameras in residentail neighborhoods (installation begins this week). Here's a Baltimore City Paper story on surveillance cameras in Charm City. This was sent out on the ANC6A listserv, but I think it's of general interest, so I'm reposting it here:

ANC6A Public Safety Committee Memorandum
to: ANC6A Public Safety Committee
from: Stephanie Nixon
subject: DYRS, Vincent Shiraldi DYRS
date: 6/23/2006


***NOTE: All examples, are merely examples.***
DC is an unusual place for the sentencing process. Juveniles are confined at Oak Hill and other places but then sent home. There is no set amount of time for a sentence.
Mr. Shiraldi functions similar to State systems and County systems in other locales. If a juvenile is detained, then it is done by Mr. Shiraldi. If the juvenile is not detained, then he/she is released back to community. Supervision at that point is completed by Court Social Services (Terry Odom) by CSS probation officers. In DC, the District funds DYRS and the Federal government funds CSS.
Several options to judge if convicted – (1) sentenced to DYRS or (2) placed on probation. DYRS is usually monitoring about 450 kids that have spent time at Oak Hill or in program, this monitoring is similar to parole. Probation is under the auspices of CSS and Parole is under the auspices of DYRS.
Recidivism:
Recidivism statistics are from the most recently analyzed available data from 2001 and 2002: Within 6 months after juveniles committed to Oak Hill are released, 30% are re-arrested. Mr. Shiraldi stated that this number is "unacceptably high". We discussed that it is difficult to leave behavior that leads to being committed, if and when juveniles return to the place the behavior occurred.
32% of DC's juveniles released from Oak Hill go to adult prisons with 3 years of exiting the juvenile system. In Missouri, this number is only 8%. In other parts of country 32% is not unusual. To obtain the reduction, Missouri moved away from large facilities to smaller facilities that are more home-like. DYRS has brought in people from Missouri to train the people. They have started 1 demonstration unit and will begin to train 30 staff for 2 more units in October. The trainers are there for several days, on-site. The goal is to change the culture of a very prison-like facility. Oak Hill is not good. Mr. Shiraldi reported that at times teenagers were locked down 24 hours per day in Oak Hill, but he argued against continuing to keep juveniles locked down this much. If this continues, then it is more likely that juveniles will turn back to streets as they came to Oak Hill. The Deputy Superintendent for Oak Hill was taken from St. Louis, Mo. They are currently working on a demonstration unit and they plan to do 2 more by October and 1-2 more by January.
Evidence-based practices:
DYRS is trying to bring in evidence-based practices. The Justice department has done some nice randomized control trials. Mr. Shiraldi focused on those examining multiple contact programs because a juvenile doesn't go to Oak Hill on the first arrest, usually. Also, a child is almost 100% likely to be arrested a 4th time if arrested 3 times.
(1) Multi-systemic therapy: (MST) Most of the research has been done in across types of areas (i.e., urban, rural, suburban, Northeast, South, etc.). This type of therapy has been effective in showing decrease in negative behaviors and an increase in positive behaviors such as education. The best version was completed by the Washington Institute of Public Policy. There are a series of blueprints for violence prevention. A prerequisite: The home has to be tenable. Some are initially untenable but with some help some of those become tenable. If juveniles are not primary locus of rehab, then view in multi-systems by looking at family. If the family provides trouble and the juvenile returns to the environment, then the juvenile will be more likely to get in more trouble with the law. Therefore, the job is to do classic family therapy and serve as advocates for the children like many parents do. This program began in February/March 2006. This approach includes individualized therapy, getting the juveniles back in school, getting them the necessary services (e.g., special education, counseling, etc.).
(2) Multi-dimensional treatment in foster care: Multi-systemic therapy in a foster home setting when the juveniles home is entire untenable. There is strong oversight and Universities that developed this follow-up. Local vendors need to increase capacity. There are programs like this in other jurisdictions.
(3) 2 new detainee programs –
a. Intensive monitoring: Intensive supervision used to be 2 meetings face-to-face per week. A contract was recently issued for intensive monitoring 3x per day, 21x per week. The goal is for the juvenile to go back to court without messing up. The worker doesn't sit in classes with them. Research shows that return to court is really high and later rearrests are lower than control.
b. Evening recording program in Wards 4 and 8: The children's families are not home after school. Therefore, they drive the children from school to the program in Ward 4/Ward 8. There is access to a variety of items including family counseling. The programming occupies the entire evening and provides face-to-face supervision Mon-Sat. Rearrests are only 2% and failure-to-appear is only 4%. Mr. Shiraldi was unaware of a single statistic with an overall number of failure-to-appear. However, none of Mr. Shiraldi's statistics indicated a failure-to-appear rate over 10% - technical violations.
Why the recent change?
Mr. Shiraldi went through all technical failures and made new protocols. It took too long to get children into a program. Now the DYRS picks child up from court. DYRS would like to reduce the 30% failure rate.
DYRS is trying to data driven. The goal is to provide effectiveness data to the judges monthly. People still make mistakes, but DYRS is trying to build trust in what is done in community and the legal system. In fact, DYRS had just closed a shelter home that provided lousy service at the time of this conversation. Mr. Shiraldi is requiring data from those working with and for DYRS.
To keep children out of arrests in the first place, we need positive youth development. Deputy Mayor Reiskin is very focused on this. How to keep kids out of arrest in first place?
Court Social Services
The head of Court Social Services is Terri Odom 202-508-1800. This is similar to CSOSA for juveniles.
There is no bail/bond for juveniles.

Prepping & Planting at Model Cities Day Care

Come Help With the Model Cities Garden
GROW Grant Project


Who: parents, teachers, staff, kids & community members
What: Prep the garden area
Where: The back garden at Model Cities Day Care (serves children ages 2-6) 1125 Neal Street.
When: Saturday July 22
Shift 1: 9-12
Shift 2: 12-3
Why: Because we want to improve our kids’ play area and help them learn about gardening. The garden will include perennials & some edibles.

RSVP to inked78[at]hotmail.com (you can also email by using the function on the "View my complete profile" page). When I get your email, I'll hook you up with the event's organizer.

Please sign up to bring supplies, such as rakes, hoes, gardening gloves and pruning tools.

**And, mark your calendars for Saturday July 29 for the day to get the plants into the ground.

National Night Out in the 1st District

National Night Out 2006 takes place on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. National Night Out is an annual event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, that takes place on the first Tuesday in August. Each year, the Metropolitan Police Department actively participates in National Night Out by rallying community members throughout the District of Columbia to join with neighbors and police officers in their PSAs to be a part of this annual event.
The National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from 9,500 communities from all 50 states, US territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.
National Night Out is designed to:
* Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
* Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
* Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police_community partnerships; and
* Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Activities in the First District include the following:
The First District Headquarters (415 4th St., SW) will be having an open house beginning at 6 pm.
PSA 102 (the western portion of the Stanton Park neighborhood) will have a community gathering at Ludlow Taylor School (629 G Street, NE) beginning at 6pm.
PSA 103 (the eastern portion of the Stanton Park neighborhood) will have a community gathering at the Rosedale Recreation Center (17th & Gales St., NE) beginning at 6 pm.
More information on National Night Out is available here. Details on National Night Out events in DC can be found here .

Escaped Arsonist Recaptured

The man who escaped from police custody around 13th & Maryland early Monday morning was
apprehended around 7pm last night near 17th & L. The man, James Bell, is accused of setting fire to a car belonging to Carver Terrace ANC Commissioner Kathy Henderson. The fire was set at 17th & L (so one wonders what he was doing there again last night).

Quest For Quiet & VOH Highlights

Quest for Quiet's favorite street preachers granted the Voice of the Hill an interview. You can read it here.
The same issue also features articles on:
-the proposed liquor store in the 900 block
-the delayed sentencing of former ANC Commissioner Robert Hall
-the candidates for the school board
-the Ward 6 candidates meet & greet

The Big Tomato

Seems particularly appropriate since the combination of hot weather & rain have pushed tomatoes into overdrive.

CD: Ward 6 Candidates Forum Recap

Check out this Common Denominator piece on the recent Ward 6 candidates forum the the Rosedale Rec.

Escaped Prisoner =Car Arsonist

It was pointed out to me that the prisoner who escaped from police custody yesterday was originally arrested for torching local ANC Commissioner (& candidate for the Ward 5 Council seat) Kathy Henderson's car. See the announcement below:

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in helping to locate an escaped prisoner.At approximately 3:30 am, on Friday, June 30, 2006, a 1991 Mercury Capri was set ablaze at 1807 L Street, NE. A second vehicle, a 1999 Suzuki Vitary, was also damaged as a result of the fire.A subsequent investigation by members of the department's Fifth District led to the arrest of 34-year-old James D. Bell, of no fixed address. He was arrested, without incident, at 19th Street and Maryland Avenue, NE, at approximately 4:24 pm, on Saturday, July 15, 2006, and charged with Destruction of Property. At approximately 10 am, on Monday, July 17, 2006, Mr. Bell was being transported from the Fifth District station, located at 1805 Bladensburg Road, NE, to the department's Central Cell Block, located at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW. While in the 1300 block of Maryland Avenue, NE, Mr. Bell apparently managed to force or kick open the back door of the transport wagon and make good his escape.

James D. Bell is described as a 34-year-old black male, 6'1" tall, approximately 150 pounds with braided type hair. He has a tombstone-shaped tattoo with the letters "RIP" on his upper right arm and a heart-shaped tattoo with the word "TANYA" on his upper left arm. He was last seen wearing a black jump suit. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of James D. Bell, or who sees him, should take no direct action but should call police at (202) 727-9099 or 911.You can see his photo here.http://app.mpdc.dc.gov/newsroom/newsroom.asp?sid=496000

Common Denominator: New Nightlife on H

The Common Denominator features this piece on H Street's new bars.

More People Sampling H Street?

A reader sent in these three links to recent blog posts about H Street:

1. The Latest Obsession: How to Woo Girls --> actually just a retelling of the writer's recent experience drinking at Palace of Wonders & Eating outside Horace & Dickie's.

2. Candy Sandwich: Palace of Wonders --> relating a group visit to the Palace of Wonders & the Red & the Black. The identity of some of the members of this group means we can maybe expect to see more photos ot the area popping up on flickr & other places.

3. Candy Sandwich: Smooth Sailing at the Argonaut --> you get idea.

Tommy Wells Q&A @ H Street Martini Lounge

PLEASE JOIN US Tomorrow!

The H Streeet Martini Lounge and the H Street Playhouse are facilitating a Q&A with Tommy Wells Candidate for City Council Ward 6

Come and bring your concerns, questions and ideas for our H Street and Near Northeast communities.

6:30-8:30 PM

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

H Street Martini Lounge
1236 H Street, NE

Helicopters This Morning

From one of the listservs:

From: "Groomes, Diane (MPD)"
To: MPD-1D@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 11:13:24 AM
Subject: RE: [MPD-1D] (unknown)


The Fifth District had an escaped prisoner out of their wagon along Bladensburg Rd near their station

thus helicopter used to canvass along Bladensburg Rd -

____________ _________ _________ __

From: MPD-1D@yahoogroups. com on behalf of kdb129
Sent: Mon 7/17/2006 10:48 AM
To: MPD-1D@yahoogroups. com
Subject: [MPD-1D] (unknown)

Commander,

What was going on in NE this morning around 10am? A police helicopter was circling for some time near the 13th and Maryland area.

Sidewalk Materials for the H Street Corridor

From a listserv:

Dear Commissioners, Merchants and Community,

In response to the ANC's letter of July 14th requesting attention be paid to aesthetic, maintenance, and environmental concerns in material selection along the H Street NE corridor, I am happy to report that designs of the corridor are actually setting a new (and higher) precedent for streetscapes in the District that meet or exceed the concerns listed.

In regards to environmental quality (water treatment, gradation and tree root health), the streetscape will implement several new or improved techniques. First, all sidewalks are designed at a very slight angle (roughly 2%) draining rainfall away from buildings and toward the tree line. Second, the street trees will be provided a continuous tree trench running the length of the block face connecting tree pit to tree pit (i.e. no containment boxes). In addition, root channels (also known as aeration strips) will form a network beneath the sidewalk to allow tree roots to grow in all directions in a controlled manner without heaving the sidewalk over time providing both tree nutrients and health and greater stability. Third, the continuous tree trench will be overlaid with rough cut granite cobblestones. Not only is this an extraordinarily high quality material, but the rough edges create minor gaps to allow percolation of water runoff from the sidewalk into the root zone to both support the trees and divert the water from our overburdened storm sewer system. Fourth, nearly all sidewalks will be widened to a minimum of 15' (some are as narrow as 7' today) which provides much more generous width for the tree trench - 5' on average up from the 3' tree boxes on the corridor today. Finally, the corridor will be lined with a diversity of tree species. Not only does this make for a more natural and interesting streetscape with varying seasonal colors and displays, but it also deters the spread of tree diseases that can ravage mono-cultures of trees making for a healthier and longer lasting tree environment.

Maintenance and longevity is a top concern for DDOT. Exposed aggregate concrete has been selected as the typical sidewalk material. This is a very traditional material for Washington DC. The variable colors of the material (a blond concrete with exposed pebbles of varying colors) camouflage gum, stains, spills, and other evidence of well used, and well loved commercial corridors. In addition, the subtle texture of the material facilitates gum removal through power washing. DDOT also evaluated concrete pavers as an option and determined it did not wear as well. Gum, once removed, leaves a permanent stain on the paver as do other spills (soda, etc.). In addition the relatively cold gray color and propensity to crack and rock did not make it the ideal material for improving the overall aesthetics of the H Street and Benning corridor.

Finally, DDOT has also paid close attention to ADA issues throughout the city and along the H Street corridor. Any materials chosen for application anywhere in the city will meet the strictest standards of the ADA. A finer grain of aggregate will be used in the H Street corridor to minimize any roughness resulting in an experience similar to typical concrete.

DDOT aims to make the H Street, Starburst, and Benning corridor a model of urban quality urban for people, retailers, property owners, and the environment. The engineering design has produced exceptional and innovative solutions for the corridor to achieve all these goals. Design is now 100% complete and construction is anticipated to begin this fall. We are eager to work with the merchants and community to ensure a smooth construction process leading to a fabulous new look for H Street NE and Benning Road.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me at karina.ricks@dc.gov or 202-671-2542.

Karina Ricks Great Streets Project Coordinator District Department of Transportation 2000 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20009
p. 202-671-2542 karina.ricks@dc.gov

Inside the Atlas

I recently went on a tour of the Atlas & took a good number of photos, but I'm still uploading them. I am going to set them up as a slideshow (like the H Street, Trinidad, Florida Market, H Street Market & Garden Club slide shows available at the bottom of the sidebar).

DCist: Housing Crunch Blues Hit the Kids?

Here's a DCist piece on the semi-unaffordability (it's a relative term, ok? -but I sure couldn't afford to buy my house today) of housing (both rental & sale) in DC for the younger crowd (let's make that 20s & 30s). Also be sure to check out the NY Times piece on a "dorm" for grown-ups & don't miss the Argonaut reference.

Green Kids @ Market Day

Les Dames d’Escoffier, Washington, DC invites you and your family to a FREE
GREEN KIDS AT MARKET DAY!!!
Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23 10:00 am – 12 noon
Renowned area female chefs, culinary leaders and students will present kid-friendly cooking demonstrations and tastings of local seasonal foods at five area Farmers’ Markets. Join us for:
butter making, market treasure hunts, food arts and crafts, prize drawings on the hour, and more!

Saturday, July 22 Market Locations:
Arlington Farmers’ Market (Courthouse Square)
H Street FRESHFARM Market (6th and H St. NE)
Silver Spring FRESHFARM Market (Fenton & Ellsworth St.)

Sunday, July 23 Market Locations:
Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market
Takoma Park Farmers’ Market (Downtown Takoma, Maryland)
http://www.lesdamesdc.org/

TIC Garden Club Annual Yard Sale Tomorrow

TRINIDAD-IVY CITY GARDEN CLUB
2nd ANNUAL YARD SALE

JULY 15 10am – 3pm
1100 Block Montello Ave. NE
All proceeds support the planting projects of the Trinidad Garden Club.
trinidadivycitygardenclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://ticgardenclub.blogspot.com/

Just Glad It Wasn't H Street This Time

It isn't really anywhere near here, but reading this Voice of the Hill story about a brothel bust over by Barracks Row serves as a nice reminder that the H Streetish & New Hill East parts of Capitol Hill don't have any monopoly on, um, interesting stories.

H Street Farmers Market Saturday

What: a producers only market selling breads, veggies, cheeses, sorbet, fruits, cookies, pies, flowers, meats & more.
Where: the middle of the south side of the 600 block of H Street.
When: Saturdays from 9am-12pm
Why: peaches, tomatoes, chef demos, scones, fresh mozzarella, fresh goat cheese, bratwurst, blue berries, beautiful flowers, R&B Coffee, & a great way to start your Saturday. Dogs are welcome.

Like Father, Like Son @ the Atlas

Like Father, Like Son opens at the Atlas Performing Arts Center

This Play Encourages Discussion of Family and Domestic Issues.



Washington, DC – OneStage Productions, Inc. continues to meet the social and artistic demand for Michael McCorkle’s popular and thought provoking stage play, “Like Father, Like Son.” OneStage Productions, Inc. in partnership with the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC will present “Like Father, Like Son” at the Atlas Performing Arts Center July 14th – August 6th.

Performances dates/times are:

Fridays: 14, 21, 28, 4 – 8:00pm
Saturdays: 15, 22, 29, 5 – 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays: 16, 23, 30, 6 – 2:00pm

Tickets:
Adults - $20.00 / Students, Groups and Seniors - $15.00 and can be purchased by calling the Atlas Box office (202) 399-7993 or online at www.atlasarts.org

Like Father, Like Son is a story that deals with the verbal, emotional and physical abuse towards women which has been a characteristic trait for 3 generations of men including a teen age boy who soon discovers he has inherited his father’s contempt for women. An original drama set in the home of the “Washington’s”, a suburban “blue-collar” family, focuses on a mother and wife who struggles to maintain her career, home and marriage, a father and husband who struggles to manage a financially failing “Father and Son” business and their son, a high school senior who finds conflict in dealing with the beliefs of his father and the values of his mother until he meets a young lady who he finds affection for.



Written and directed by McCorkle, who is a former public school educator; the play is designed to raise awareness to the issues concerning relationships and challenge adults to their role in youth guidance. “Many young men (and young women for that matter) are expected to make the right choices when it comes to relationships. It is however, not as easy to decide what is right and wrong in a relationship when young people are surrounded by false images of 'love' they see on television, in music videos or as part of their surroundings,” said McCorkle.



This production is more than just a play, it is a statement to men about their role in youth guidance, a reflection of adolescent males and their perception of young women, and a tribute to women for their strength in both career and home,” continued McCorkle. OneStage Productions in partnership with the Atlas Performing Arts Center will be presenting special matinee performances of “Like Father, Like Son” to groups of young people who are participating in various summer programs during their run at the Atlas. These special mid-day performances for students will also include post-performance discussions with “Q&A,” and a cast “Meet & Greet.” OneStage is also working with foundations and domestic counseling organizations to present this production in other regions of the country to raise awareness and open discussions about its themes .

Ward 6 Candidates Forum Tomorrow

This Thursday, Ward 6 residents who are concerned about crime and other issues will be able to address those concerns to the candidates running to replace Sharon Ambrose on the DC Council. Please don't miss this opportunity to let your voice be heard!

Ward 6 Candidates Forum
When: Thursday, July 13 7pm
Where: Rosedale Rec Center17th and Gales, NE

The following candidates (Democrat and Republican) are confirmed:
- Tommy Wells
- Curtis Etherly
- Leo Pinson
- Will Cobb
- Antonio Williams

Ramsey Declares DC Crime Emergency

After a recent spate of killings around town (despite what you might believe from the name Gallaudet Street, the last killing occurred not in Trinidad, but rather north & west of it) Chief Ramsey has declared a DC Crime Emergency (giving him greater flexibility to change officers' schedules on short notice & to move them around the city to better focus on problem areas). Will we see more officers here? Will it help?

In somewhat related notes:
-Courtland Milloy has a piece on the topic of juvenile crime in DC;
-The NY Times has an article on the National Asset Database that Homeland Security uses to decide what areas get more or less money to prevent terror threats;
-NY Times on DC's crime emergency;

Delay on Zoning Hearing for Capitol Place PUD

Reposted from the comments:

Dreyfus has asked the Zoning Commission for an indefinite postponement of their July 31 Capitol Place PUD hearing. They say they are going back to the drawing board to respond to community concerns.

PSA 504 Meeting Saturday

What: Police Service Area 504 (includes all of Trinidad) Meeting
When: Saturday, July 15th 10am-11:30am
Where: Joseph Cole Recreation Ctr.1200 Morse Street

AGENDA
Community Crime Update
Status of Problem Solving Process
Nuisance Property Report
Plans for National Night Out
For More Information Contact:Lt. Judith Anderson/Judith.Anderson@dc.gov or
Phone: (202) 698-0268 Fax: (202) 724-8649

TIC Garden Club to Host Yard Sale Saturday

TRINIDAD-IVY CITY GARDEN CLUB
2nd ANNUAL YARD SALE

JULY 15 10am – 3pm
1100 Block Montello Ave. NE
All proceeds support the planting projects of the Trinidad Garden Club.
trinidadivycitygardenclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

http://ticgardenclub.blogspot.com/

Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill Now Open

Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill, located at 410 H Street, is now holding classes. Whether you already love hot yoga, or are just curious, the studio is inviting those who live, work, or play in the neighborhood to stop by and check out a class.
For more information visit http://www.bikramyogacapitolhill.com/.

Here's Looking At You

A Meat Counter in the DC Farmers Market (located in Capital City Market).

Reminder: Lock It Up

Especially lock up any bikes, scooters, or motorcyles. Preferably where no one can see them. I have a roommate who failed to heed this advice & it resulted in me being forced to chase (barefoot) two teenagers down an alley in an effort to recover his unsecured scooter that he had parked in plain sight. While they eventually dropped the scooter (their attempts to start it had been unsuccessful) the damage they had done to it prior to walking it off was extensive & my roommate will likely have to sell it for parts. When you leave items like this easily accessible you not only put that item at risk, but you give kids like that a reason to return (hoping that you'll be similarly careless in the future) & you can bet that they'll be checking out your neighbors yards/houses as well as yours. So please don't feed the youth with criminal tendancies or the wandering crackheads. Lock up your stuff.

Grand Opening @ Palace of Wonders?

How was the show. I didn't make it but it appeared very crowded on Friday when I passed by. I'm sure Saturday was packed too & if it didn't sell out, I suspect it may have because (what are the odds of this?) the grand opening celebration apparently conflicted with a major burlesque event elsewhere in the city.

DCist Taps 2 H Street Events For Weekend Picks

DCist recommends Palace of Wonders' grand opening celebration & the production of Memorandum at H Street Playhouse as events to check out this weekend.

WP: Palace of Wonders A Very Strange Brew

Today's Post features an impressive look at Palace of Wonders (1210 H Street). If you haven't been by to check out this circus themed bar, or even if you have, you might want to check out the Grand Opening celebration (you'll need to click on "events") taking place tonight & tomorrow night. Doors open at 7pm & shows start at 8pm. Tickets are $12 in advance (buy them at Palace), or $15 at the door. That buys you some well known performers doing an assortment of things including (see the schedule to learn what is on for a certain night) burlesque dancing, sword swalling, Buffalo Bill style stunts & more.

Transitions

1. The childcare center at 1016 H Street (next to Money Today) is gone.
2. The space formerly occupied by Nat's Records (812 H Street) is now occupied by something called MTC (Medical Training Center). Does anyone know what this is?

DC's Only Bohemian Neighborhood?

...well, at least according to an advertisement in this week's City Paper. The ad, which refers to the Atlas District (the arts & entertainment strip that runs from the 1200 block of H Street to the Starburst Intersection at 15th) for the Red & the Black, the Palace of Wonders, & the Argonaut. The ad also mentions the complementary shuttle service (you call when you need a ride), which is pretty useful for getting your friends who don't live in the neighborhood home at the end of the night. But I suspect that someone is not entirely pleased with the ad because it seems when you look at it that all roads lead to one place & that place is the Argonaut. Visitors to Palace of Wonders & the Red & the Black should head to 1210 & 1212 H Street Respectively, not 1433 H Street (the Argonaut's address).

City Paper: Plunder Wall

The City Paper has this brief piece on on the stolen tv & permit woes (the tavern is experiencing some delays in getting a permit for the outdoor patio).

Palace Polishes Up For Grand Opening

Palace of Wonders (1210 H Street) now looks even more like a circus tent. Here are a few close-ups up the newly panels. They add a little interest, no?




If you haven't been to Palace of Wonders yet, you could wing by tonight for a quick covercharge free beer, or you could go either Friday, or Saturday for the full Grand Opening show.

Post: On ANC Car Arson

Here's another story on local (5B10) ANC Commissioner Kathy Henderson whose car was set on fire Friday morning.

ANC 6C Zoning & Planning Com. Mtg Tonight

This meeting includes discussion of the Dreyfus project between 2nd and 3rd and G and H NE.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C
Zoning and Planning Committee

DRAFT Agenda July 2006

Date: July 5, 2006
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Mt. Airy Baptist Church
1100 North Capitol Street NW
Washington, DC



A. Voting Items:

1. 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW (Docter) Application to Public Space Management for installation of planters and bollards at the new Newseum site

2. 919 5th St. NW - Fun Fair Video (Thomas) Appeal to the BZA of fines levied against the owner of this establishment

3. 510 8th St NE (Sherman) Application to the HPRB concerning renovations and modifications to an apartment building; also discussion of zoning matters concerning the proposed modifications

4. 601 Mass Ave NE (Sisolak) Application to the HPRB for a two-story addition on an existing one-story building; also discussion of zoning matters concerning proposed uses of the property

5. Capitol Place PUD (Rivera) Application to the Zoning Commission for zoning map amendments and PUD for a mixed use development

6. 201 Florida Ave. NE (Pernell) Application to the BZA for variance and special exception for development of Eckington Hotel by Trammel Crow


B. Non-Voting Announcements and Discussion Items:

1. 315-327 H St. NE (Rivera) Presentation by Taurus Development of a proposed mixed use project including a request for a curb cut on H St. to access underground parking

ANC Commissioner's Car Set On Fire

Ward 5 ANC Commissioner (and candidate for the Ward 5 Council seat currently held by Vincent Orange) Kathy Henderson's car was set ablaze outside her house early Friday morning. Henderson's outspokeness has has landed her harm's way before (this is the second time her car has been set on fire & it has previously been vandalized in other ways). A spokesman for the Fire Department asks that anyone with information about the incident call 1-866-91-ARSON.

The Last Breakfast

I went with a friend to Young's Korean Deli (325 Morse) for breakfast on Sunday only to learn that they would be closing their doors for the last time (their landlord has elected to sell & they are currently looking for an alternate space in the market, but have thus far been unsuccessful in their search). I learned of the closing because, after noticing that the spot on the wall previously occupied by the Washington Post article "The Insider's Market" was now vacant, I aksed where the article had gone. Young's Deli has been open for five years & is Mrs. Young's special project. Mr. Young owns & runs a welding business just across the street. The Young's were previously involved in wholesale food business in the market area. Because they were closing that day, they had not replenished the supply of squid that my friend planned to order. Because my friend does not eat red meat, she would have been unable to order the other Korean menu items had Mrs. Young not offered to make her a special chicken version of bib bim bob.

The wall that once held the Washington Post article on a special plaque.

The owners pose for one final shot.

Young's served up not only Korean food, but also American dishes that proved popular with Young's sizable Latino clientele. While we were eating a late breakfast Mr. Young joined two other customers in watching & discussing a World Cup game.

The chicken & beef bib bim bob.

Hill Rag: New Town (the Capital City/Florida Market)

I've been waiting for the story to go online & it's now available here. The article is about the New Town vision that a group is proposing for the Capital City Market. The proposal basically calls for leveling the area, building a new strucure to house any remaining merchants (I haven't heard any plans to temporarily relocate any merchants during construction, but even if there is such a plan, you are going to have some attrition), and then adding affordable(by whose definition?) housing, a medical clinic, an outdoor ampitheater, a bowling alley, a movie theater & more. There are many obstacles to the plan:
1. many of the 69 land owners in the market area don't want to sell;
2. Gallaudet (which owns more than 1/3 of the land) doesn't want to sell;
3. DC owns almost 1/3 of the land & would likely be asked to donate such land;
4. the area is zoned commercial/light industrial, so you couldn't currently have housing there (and that would be a major zoning change);
5. There is no secured financing for this project (will the city end up paying for it?)
6. The plans are poorly developed & not fleshed out.
7. Backers of the plan have requested special legislation that would allow the major to exercise emminent domain so that they can get their hands on the land.


Inside the DC Farmers Market.

Demolition is occuring even now. This is the U.S. Beef building (which had been vacant).

I'd like to offer the following quote from Ellen McCarthy (Office of Planning): "It's very hard to point to a great neighborhood that was created from scratch." Ms. McCarthy isn't talking about the New Town development (she's talking about the area around the baseball stadium -actually you should read this article too because it addresses some relevant issues), but I think the quote could apply here as well. I just really don't get the point of tearing down the historic buildings & putting the existing vendors in jeopardy for what appears to be a very half-baked plan. I've said before that I think the best move is to work with the existing buildings & existing vendors to incorporate more retail (mostly have existing vendors become a little more retail friendly), maybe a coffee shop & some restaurants eventually. I also like the previously proposed idea of a small cooking school (this could be a great opportunity for real hands on vocational training). The Capital City Market could continue to cater to the existing wholesale customers, broaden its appeal to retail customers, and as DC's last market district (I'm not going to include the Waterfront), even appeal to tourists (as does the Italian Market in Philadephia). To see photos of the Italian Market click here. To see photos of the Capital City Market, scroll to the bottom of the sidebar & click on the photo set for the Wholesale Food District.

The Facade @Rock & Roll Hotel

Not only is the awning new, but the Hotel also received some new decoration at the top.

The Rock & Roll Hotel (1300 block of H Street) will feature live music & Middle Eastern inspired foods.

The building before the recent touches.

Palace of Wonders Update

The website is live. Check out the line-up for the grand opening show (if the print is too small, the details are also here. And, no photos yet, but they've added additional decoration to the building front.

North-East Liquor

5th & Neal Street (in the Capital City Market).