CP: Ben's Chili Bowl Buys on H Street

The City Paper reports that the owners of DC landmark Ben's Chili Bowl have purchased George's Place (a men's clothing store on the corner of 10th and H Street). The owner of the building is closing George's Place to retire and he'd spoken to several potential buyers. According to the article it might not be a Ben's II. The new owners expect to spend the next three months looking at the market before they settle on a concept for the space.

Happy Halloween

Check out these awesome reader photos from the Frozen Tropics Flickr pool.

DC Pumpkin on H Street, a photo by Mr. T in DC on Flickr

Halloween Without Representation by philliefan99

BYT Reviews Greek

Brightest Young Things appraises Scena's production of GREEK, which runs through November 27th at the H Street Playhouse (1365 H Street).

Have You Picked Your Costume?

DC Style is Real Reviews Ethiopic

Local blog DC Style is Real has recommendations for your next visit to Ethiopic.

ODDSAC At Toki Underground

Catch the film at Toki Underground (2nd floor of 1234 H Street) this weekend.

DC NoMa: No Kitchen on K

DC NoMa confirms the rumors that have circulated for months. The Kitchen on K is officially not coming to the area. Chef Gillian Clark's financial problems appear to have nixed the deal. Hopefully the Loree Grand (250 K Street) can find a new ground floor restaurant tenant in short order.

MD Theater Guide Praises Greek

MD Theater Guide gives five stars to Scena's Greek (a raunchy Cockney take on Oedipus Rex). From the review:

It’s a tragedy that is riotously funny. It pokes fun at high art while approaching high art itself. It is a scathing social critique ensconced in comedy, bundled in tragedy. It must be experienced.

Greek runs through November 27th at the H Street Playhouse (1365 H Street).

Details on *appy *alloween

On October 29, H Street invites you to put the H in your Halloween at a corridor-long series of activities called *APPY *ALLOWEEN. Over 20 participating businesses will take part in the FRILLS & CHILLS Halloween decorating contest and PUMPKIN PROMENADE carving contest, the winners of which will be determined by patrons who will vote by ballot.

Read more »

Scout Mob: 50% Off Liberty Tree

Deal site Scout Mob has an offer for half off food and drinks at Liberty Tree (1016 H Street).

Changes at Capitol Hill Cupcakes

The Capitol Hill cupcakes storefront at 411 18th Street is closing, but the cupcakes shall endure. You can still place orders for cupcakes, and plans are in the works for a food truck. Full details from the owner after the jump.
Read more »

*appy *alloween on H Street

Reggae Halloween at Gallery OonH

CANCELLED

Trick or Treat: a Few Halloween Tips

Halloween Decor on Capitol Hill - 900 Block of C Street SE, a photo by caroline.angelo on Flickr.

It's that time of year again, so let's review the basics of Halloween in our neighborhood. this is a short guide, that's a good reminder for longtimers, and a good primer for newbies. The basics:

1. Do kids trick or treat around here? Absolutely. Because Halloween comes on a Monday this year you will probably get kids on both Monday and Saturday nights (possibly Sunday too?).
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Triangle Park Meeting Tomorrow

Photo from Google Earth

There's a meeting tomorrow at 2pm about the future of the tiny triangle park at 8th and K Street. Meet at the triangle (rain or shine) to share your ideas about what could be part of this small park.

A Halloween Teaser

Local News Round Up

First up is an interesting look at the process, and lessons, behind some of the changes on H Street over the past decade or so. This analysis comes from Richard Layman, via his blog Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space. Urban Turf runs down the many large scale residenNewstial development headed to the H Street Corridor, and dcMUD has a nice piece on the mixed-use infill development coming to 1113-1117 H Street. For those of you trying to place it, that will be a five story building in between Family Dollar and Me and My Supermarket.

Read more »

Ready for Halloween?

Halloween Decor on Capitol Hill - 900 Block of C Street SE (2), a photo by caroline.angelo on Flickr

A cute shot from the Frozen Tropics Flickr pool.

Sherwood Rec Volunteer Day Saturday

The Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers is having our fall work session at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE) this Saturday, October 22, 10 am - 1 pm. We'll be planting bulbs, weeding, mulching, and doing other fall cleanup activity. Would you help us spread the word and encourage neighborhood partiicpation? Sidamo is helping us provide coffee and breakfast treats.

Complete Menu for Pho Bar & Grill

Note that they offer banh mi, as well as pho.


Read more »

Weekend East City Event Round Up

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Visual White Noise Edition

Friday October 21

Studio H (6pm to 9pm)

Studio H opens Amalgamations, new work by Steven Pearson. Pearson paints large scale work and has created a 9’ x 9’ installation piece for the gallery. Inspired by the deluge of quotidian information we are subjected to via social media, television, radio and email, Amalgamations translates this cacophony into vibrant colors and shapes that clash with one another eventually resulting in what Pearson calls “visual white noise”. For additional details, click here.

Studio H is located at 408 H Street NE, second floor

Read more »

WP: Dream City Revisited

Mike DeBonis, who moderated the recent Greater Greater Washington sponsored talk on the book Dream City: Race, Power, and the Decline of Washington, DC, offers some reflection. DeBonis muses upon the book, the District 20 years later, and the challenges the District faces today, and in the future.

Pho Bar & Grill Opens Tonight

It's official, Pho Bar and Grill opens tonight at 5pm at 1360 H Street. I don't believe they have their liquor license yet (I'm not sure). If not now, then soon. They do have bubble tea, and Vietnamese coffee. The space is two levels (expect a roof deck in the future), and they serve salads, banh mi, and pho.

World Series Specials at the Pug

A message from the Pug (1238 H Street):

We'll be doing a couple of specials for the World Series starting with Game 1 tomorrow at 8 pm. We'll have $2 Budweiser draft and $2 Shiner Bock cans. Everyone gets the specials until the end of the 7th Inning, while those wearing one of the two teams' jerseys get them through the bottom of the ninth.

Also wanted to let you know we're having our next Whisky tasting on Tuesday, November 1. $10 gets you a flight of four scotches, two blends and two single malts. A little food will be included as well. Should be a fun, tasty, and informative night. More details to follow.

Round 2 in the H Street Liquor License Cap Mtgs

Tonight is the second of three meetings examining whether to (at some future point) institute a cap on liquor licenses on H Street. One key question is, if such a cap shall exist, at what point should it take effect. The concerns are primarily two-fold:

1. preventing the Adams Morganization of H Street;
2. ensuring that rampant liquor licenses don't price out all retail along the Corridor.

The meeting is tonight 7-8:45pm at Sherwood Recreation Center (10th and G) the ANC 6A Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee (ABL). Full details over at the Hill is Home.

Here are the Details on Thiller on H 2011

Zombie by Frozen Tropics Flickr pool user philliefan99


Thriller on H Street with Nikki Gambhir
Joy Of Motion at the Atlas, 1333 H Street
Saturday, October 29th 7-9pm
$25 Advanced Registration; $30 day of workshop
All levels; Adults Age 18 and Above

October 29 is Thriller Night! Join JOMDC for a night of thrills, chills and dancing under the stars. The evening begins with a workshop to learn the iconic choreography from Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Participants then will have the opportunity to perform under the stars at the Thriller on H Street Party, located outside our Atlas location. Costumes are suggested for participation in the performance. In addition to the outdoor performance, the fun-thrilled night will include Haunt Hunt contest along the H Street corridor, Moonwalk contest, door prizes and more! Join us for an evening of fun and excitement….if you dare.
sign up online.
* Thriller on H Street is presented in partnership with Atlas Performing Arts Center, H Street Main Street, Auto Zone, and Joy of Motion Dance Center

Saturday, October 29, from 7-9pm (workshop) 9:30 (performance at Thriller on H Street)

More of Jair Lynch in the 600 Block of H Street

Two nice pieces on developer Jair Lynch's plans for the properties he just purchased on the south side of the 600 block of H Street. First up is the Washington Post, and second we have a shorter offering from Urban Turf. The Post article describes Lynch's plans to demolish the one story middle building and replace it with a mixed-use structure with 240 apartments.

NYT: Quiet Campus Premieres Monday on mtvU

Quiet Campus, a five part mini-series on student life at Gallaudet University, comes to mtvU Monday October 24th. MtvU is MTV's college channel. Check out the teaser video and more details on the New York Times site.

Fatal Stabbing in Carver Langston

From the listserv:

Sunday night, October 16, at about 8:20 pm, Fifth District officers got a call for a stabbing in the 1900 block of I St., NE. When they arrived, they found a 31 year old man who had been stabbed. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Detectives from our Violent Crimes Branch are investigating the case, and we ask that anyone with any information call 727-9099.

Andy Solberg
Commander, 5D

Northeast DC Book Club

Inaugural meeting Monday, November 7th 7-8pm

Open to All

RSVP and Info available online.

Featured Book: Dream City: Race, Power, and the Decline of Washington, D.C.

Meet your neighbors. Learn a little about DC. Engage in dynamic discussion. Join us for the launch of the Northeast DC Book Club.

All are welcome, no matter how much or how little of the book you have read. There will be time at the end of our discussion to determine the next book and location for our book club meeting, so come with your ideas.
Read more »

Shooting in the 1100 Block of H Street

Police Alert-SHOOTING

SHOOTING 0450 HRS 1100 BLOCK OF H STREET NE NO LOOKOUT - LOCATION IS CLOSED OFF TO TRAFFIC DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #120110536629

Sent on: 10/15 05:53

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

Further detail from ANC Adam C Healy's exchange with MPD:

"25 year old male found shoot at 11 and H Sts NE at about 4:50 a.m. Victim transported to an area hospital and admitted in critical condition."

Seeking ASL Fluent Research Participants

Seeking ASL-fluent research participants for an excursion on H Street
Researchers conducting the "Peripatetic Convergence Project" are seeking native/fluent signers to participate for one hour to help investigate the way signers relate to each other as they navigate the H Street Corridor. Participants will record their navigational experience by wearing a special portable camera headset.

Duration of session: One hour

Possible dates: October 15-31
Read more »

Barbells For Breast Cancer

Donate here.

Costumed Ode to Offal at the Queen Vic

The Queen Vic has come up with a very cool way to celebrate Halloween and great food at the same time.

Ode To Offal
Sunday 30th October 2011
Drinks at 6pm for Dinner at 7pm
4 course Meal with Beer Pairings (please see below for more details)
$80/person (includes food, beer pairings, tax and gratuity)

Our goal for this event is to expand our guests culinary palates pushing them into the bizarre but not over the edge. Head Chef, Ian Reeves, has created this deliciously ghoulish menu using fresh, seasonal items from local farms. We purposely made this an intimate event so that people could get a chance to make new friends and have a fresh take on the DC food and social scene. What better time than Halloween - Interesting costumes, amazing cocktails and delectable fare - The perfect ingredients for a great time.
Read more »

Watershed Neighborhood Fish Fry

A very special dinner offering from Watershed (1225 1st Street NE).

Be a Neighbor, Bring a Friend - Watershed Fish Fry for Two, $75

Steeped in tradition, the Fish Fry has served as a vehicle for neighborhood gatherings for centuries. Watershed is putting its own spin on the Fish Fry, keeping the neighborhood-focused, friendly atmosphere, and adding traditional Mid-Atlantic coastal dishes and beverages from DC Brau.
Read more »

Weekend East City Event Round Up

Weekend East City Event Round Up: October Super Saturday Edition

Friday October 14

Studio H (6pm to 8pm)

Studio H is celebrating its second anniversary with an afternoon happy hour. The H Street Gallery will display two concurrent solo exhibitions Slurry and Autumnal Equinox by Katherine Mann and Pam Rogers respectively. Both painters, Mann and Rogers create dreamlike works influenced by botany and the natural world. For additional details, click here.

Studio H is located at 408 H Street NE, second floor

Read more »

Discount Tickets to Greek at the H Street Playhouse

Goldstar has discount tickets to Scena Theatre's production of Greek (a foul mouthed Cockney version of Oedipus Rex).

Sexual Assault in the 400 Block of G Street

From MPD:

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sex Assault Unit are seeking the public’s assistance in reference to a sexual assault which occurred in the 400 block of G Street, NE.

On Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at approximately 6:25 am, an adult female was walking in the 400 block of G Street, NE when an unknown male grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her.
Read more »

A Great Opportunity to Bone Up on DC History

Greater Greater Washington is sponsoring an upcoming discussion with the authors of Dream City: Race, Power, and the Decline of Washington, DC (video autoplays). This is an amazing book, and I do not exaggerate when I say that it just might change the way you view DC forever. Mike DeBonis (one of my favorite local journalists!) of the Washington Post will moderate the discussion. The event takes place October 17th at 7pm. Highly recommended for both lifelong residents of the District, and transplants. For the record, this is the best book that I have ever read about the District of Columbia.

Thriller on H Street 2011?

Readers have written in asking about the possibility of another Thriller on H Street. Bottom line: they are still working on it, but you can currently sign up through Joy of Motion (1333 H Street) for classes covering both Thriller, and the Time Warp. I'll provide more details as they become available.

Local News Round Up

The Post and the Washington Examiner report on the Theater of the First Amendment's production of "Can't Scare Me, the Story of Mother Jones" which runs through October 30th at the Atlas (1333 H Street).

Prince of Petworth says Pret a Manger is coming to Union Station.

Greater Greater Washington talks twice about the future name of the NY Ave metro station. NoMa blog also discusses the topics.

DC Event Junkie shows us that politics and karaoke can mix. They will do so at the 3rd Annual Karaoke in the Capital. October 19th at 7pm.

Read more »

Two Convictions in 2008 Triple Murder

William McCorkle and Andre Clinksdale Jr. have been convicted in a senseless 2008 shooting that left three innocent men dead. The victims were Duane Hough, Johnny Jeter and Anthony Mincey. McCorkle reportedly argued with Hough, and his two friends at a Trinidad gas station, pursued them, and opened fire on the three shortly after. This occurred in the 1100 block of Holbrook Street.

McCorkle and Clinksdale fired a total of 37 shots at the men. 17 of those bullets ended up in Hough (Mincey was shot 11 times, and Jeter took nine bullets). They continued to shoot him as he lay on the ground dying. According to the Washington Post, McCorkle claimed that he shot Hough and Jeter in self-defense (not the best argument when your victim is already on the ground). The victims were unarmed. McCorkle also tried to blame the murders on his friend Trey Joyner. Though Joyner was thought by MPD to have played some role in the shootings, he was unavailable for questioning because he was shot and killed by Park Police in a Trinidad alley in 2009. McCorkle was also convicted of obstruction of justice and contempt. Sentencing is scheduled for December 16th. Both men face life in prison.

Read more »

Tom Seitsema Hangs Out on H

Photo provided by the Atlas Room

Washington Post food critic Tom Seitsema has rolled out his fall list of restaurants where he'd like to be a regular. Ethiopic (401 H Street) and the Atlas Room (1015 H Street) both get a nod.

GOG: Best Late Night Eats

The Going Out Gurus look at some of the metropolitan area's best late night eats. Taylor Gourmet (1116 H Street) and Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H Street) both make the list on H Street. I agree that both are good options, but the post also made me consider some of the other great late night dining options along the Corridor. Three solid picks for me are Shawafel (1322 H Street, open until 3am on weekends), the Capital City Diner (1050 Bladensburg Road, open 24 hours on weekends), and Marvelous Pizza (941 H Street, open very late). Where do you head to tackle your late night hunger pangs?

DC Style is Real Reviews the Big Board

The Big Board (421 H Street) only officially opened on Saturday, but the place is already a hit. The Yelp reviews are strong, and now we have an early appraisal from local blog DC Style is Real.

Meat Puppets to Play RnR Hotel

Remember the Meat Puppets? Well, they're back, and they're playing down the street at the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street). The show is November 1st. Tickets are $14 ahead of time, and $16 at the door. All ages show.

WBJ: Granville's to Add Private Dining Space

The Washington Business Journal reported yesterday that local Belgian restaurant Granville Moore's (1238 H Street) will add private dining space. The new space, which comes from a reworking of the back patio, will add about four hundred square feet to the restaurant, and between 20 and 35 seats. It should open in early November.

Fatal Domestic Stabbing on West Virginia

This not so cheery news comes via the MPD-5 listserv:

This afternoon shortly before 3 pm [yesterday], a 44 year old resident of a home in the 1300 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE, was stabbed to death during an apparent domestic dispute.

A passing officer was flagged down and found the man inside the home.

An 18 year old woman is in custody in connection with this homicide.

Andy Solberg
Commander, 5D

I'm told that it happened at 1309 West Virginia.

WTD: Half Off Inspire Bar-B-Q

What's the Deal offers $20 in bar-b-q from Inspire Bar-B-Q (650 H Street) for $10.

Whiskey Tasting Tomorrow at the Pug

Whisky para encajar piezas - I, a photo by Arkangel on Flickr.

The Pug commences its whiskey tastings tomorrow night at 8pm. This week's will be hosted by Phil Piper of Skyy Spirits. They'll offer a flight of four whiskeys: Russell Reserve 10 year, Auchentoshan Classic, Auchentoshan Three Wood, and Glen Grant 10 year. $20 gets you a full serving of each, so basically you pay $5 for a shot of some of the best whiskey in the world.
The Pug staff plans to offer such tastings periodically on Tuesdays at 8.

UD: Pho Bar and Grill

Urban Daddy has some info on Pho Bar and Grill at 1360 H Street.

Ross Opens at Hechinger Mall

Ross is now open and operating at Hechinger Mall. I haven't been in yet, but I've heard it's a pretty nice store. Ross sells inexpensive home decor, kitchen items, linens, and discounted clothing (including designer and brand name labels). It's similar to Marshalls. DCist reported earlier this week that the new store has agreed to hire more than 60 District residents.

Thrillist Does The Big Board

Stop by tonight's soft opening, or tomorrow night's grand opening, of the Big Board at 421 H Street. Read the accompanying Thrillist text if you so desire.

GGW: Balancing Old & New on H Street

Greater Greater Washington discusses managing the overall development plans for H Street, and the steps taken to direct the Corridor's future.

CP: Miller Time on H Street

The Autozone lot is one of the H Street properties owned by WestMill Capital

Housing Complex has an interesting piece on a development team poised to play a big role on H Street.

A Little Good, A Little Bad

I Street Cat Seeks Local Home

A sweet adult cat who appears to have been an abandoned house cat is looking for a new home. He's currently staying with friends, but they can't keep him. He is fixed, has all his shots up to date, and is very friendly and chill. He's about 10 months old. Contact roadbikedc[at]gmail.com for info on adopting him.

Lost Cat Bond

A reader writes in with the following tale:

Our cat, Bond, got out last night. He is an indoor cat and has never been outside. We are hopeful that he comes back as our other cat (his brother) did not get out. I have noticed that you have put things on your website about lost pets before and was hoping you could do the same for me. We live on 4th Street NE between F and G and assume that Bond will stay in the vicinity. He has his claws, is a very nice cat, but is very skittish around strangers. We think he is probably hiding somewhere. Attached is a picture of Bond. He is a black and white, tuxedo cat and has a black spot on his nose. He is a medium sized cat.

If you could post my phone number 202-255-5666, I would greatly appreciate it.

The Big Board Appreciates You Tonight

The Big Board (421 H Street NE), which hosted a private soft opening last night, welcomes neighbors in tonight. According to their Facebook announcement, The Big Board will offer all menu items at discounted prices. They open at 5pm. Grand opening October 8th.

Birdman in the Flickr Pool

DSC_0208, a photo by alexandrajones14 on Flickr.

Thrillist: Pho Bar & Grill Soft Opening

I mentioned before that they recently had tables and chairs set up inside Pho Bar and Grill (1360 H Street), and now Thrillist reports that they are running a soft opening this weekend.

The Big Board Opening Saturday

@HstreetDC reports that The Big Board, a new burger and beer spot (they have salads too), will open its doors Saturday at 421 H Street. Apparently they'll have beer from Chocolate City Brewery (you can also sip the local brew at the Pug, the Argonaut, and Smith Commons).

Local Link Round Up

Is Shawafel (1322 H Street) the best inexpensive food in the Atlas District? Some commenters on Chowhound think so. The Going Out Gurus point out that Dangerously Delicious Pies (LINK PLAYS MUSIC, 1339 H Street) offers up some damn fine vegan fruit pies. Down the street local food blog Fork It praises the Atlas Room (1015 H Street). Could we be looking at a new pizza place from Chef Mike Isabella of Graffiato? The City Paper says it's a possibility. Young and Hungry asks if Horace and Dickie's (809 12th Street NE) fried fish sandwich might be DC's signature sandwich, but some commenters think it's a sub from Litteri's (517-519 Morse Street).

Read more »

NHL Center Ice & Drink Specials at the Pug

The Pug has NHL Center Ice this season, so folks can catch the games at the bar. The Pug has pledged to show all Caps and Sabres games, and an assortment of others. To mark the start of the NHL regular season, they will have a $3 Molson special during the following games: Flyers-Bruins, Canadiens-Leafs at 7pm Thursday. Ducks-Sabres 1pm Friday. Sabres-Kings 2pm and Hurricanes-Caps 7pm Saturday.

Rockin' It in the Flickr Pool

rockin' it, a photo by m hoek on Flickr.

A cool shot of a brass band at the H Street Festival.

Healthy Motions on Bloomspot

Healthy Motions Massage Therapy (702 K Street lower level) has a deal up on Bloomspot for $59 for a sixty minute hot stone massage with aromatherapy a $90 value).