The Big Board Adds Weekday Lunch

Big Board, a photo by Nivad on Flickr

The Big Board (421 H Street) launches its weekday lunch menu starting January 2nd at 11am.

WP: Shelton to Repay Stolen ANC Funds

The Post's Mike DeBonis reports that ANC5B Chair William Shelton has agreed to replay nearly $29,000 in public funds that he allegedly misappropriated from ANC5B's coffer. Under the deal he will make an initial payment of $5,000, and then pay $200 a month. So Shelton has ten years to pay back the the funds. The article makes no mention of any interest charges, but does say that Shelton will be liable for treble damages should he fail to make timely payments. The stolen funds were used for various things, including payments on Shelton's Lexus, and purchases at Target and Bloomingdale. The article says it's unclear whether the DC Attorney General will refer Shelton's case for prosecution. If they choose not to prosecute, Shelton basically gets (assuming no interest) a free ten year loan. That's similar to the situation with Harry Thomas. Why are we creating a perverse incentive that reward criminals for stealing?

Koffee Boutique Comes to H Street

I don't have a lot of info on this new place, but it's going in above Philadelphia Water Ice. It's a women's boutique. They hope to open in late January.

Unemployed & Behind on Your Mortgage? There's Help

Are you behind on your mortgage because you lost your job? Do you know someone in that situation? If so, check out this program. It's only open to those those who previously worked, but were laid off. Details below:

The DC government, through the Homesaver Program, now offers forgivable loans to homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgages because of unemployment. If you own a home in DC, are receiving or have received unemployment benefits at any time during the last 6 months, and are behind on your mortgage because you were laid off, you may be eligible for a loan to help bring your mortgage current. Call (202) 667-7006 or attend a FREE foreclosure clinic to find out more about this program and other realistic options for avoiding foreclosure.
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Pamela's Punch: Try Shawafel

Food blog Pamela's Punch recently tried Shawafel (1322 H Street) and was very pleased. I have to agree. Shawafel serves up excellent Lebanese food at a very affordable price.

Curbed: Deaf Architecture at Gallaudet University

Curbed has a cool feature on Gallaudet University's ongoing search for a more deaf friendly architecture.

HSGS: Casbah & the Spot Headed for H Street

H Street Great Street has the scoop on two new places opening on H Street. The first is Casbah, which will serve Pakastani/Indian food ("South Asian"). There had been rumor for quite a while of an Indian restaurant possibly taking over the old Naby's space (1128 H Street), but then everything went quiet, and it seemed like the deal had died. Recently, I had noticed construction of what looks like a bar inside the space. This report from H Street Great Street confirms the good news.

Just down the street at 1255 H Street a new restaurant called the Spot plans to set up shop. The Spot will serve Latin American food. This space previously was home to a store selling incense, scented oils, and clothing. That store has relocated to the 1400 block (it was previously down the street at 1309 H Street).

Stabbing in the 1500 Block of Gales

From MPD:

Police Alert-STABBING

ONE ADULT MALE STABBED IN THE 1500 BLOCK OF GALES STREET NE DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #120110655779

Joe Cole Park Vandalized

All Photos by Robert Mann-Thompson

The following story comes from a reader and neighbor:

On Sunday, a pee-wee football league that now practices at Joe Cole Park (1200 Morse Street), showed up for practice and found the gates locked. Instead of turning away when they found the gates locked (the park is brand new, as are the gates), they took it upon themselves to break into the park. In doing so, they did what appears to be over a thousand dollars in damage to the gate. They ripped the metal gate from the concrete, and bent the metal so severely that the gate had to be removed.
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Stabbing Near Starburst intersection

The police alert from a little before 4pm today:

Stabbing in 1500 block of Benning Rd NE LOF B/M wearing a coat DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20110655227

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

Tonight: Their Lives in Pictures and Words

Sorry for the short notice on this one. The email slid by me, but it sounds cool, so hopefully people might still be able to stop by:

Their Lives
in
Pictures and Words

Join the staff of Randle Highlands Elementary School on Tuesday December 20th 2011, for a fundraising event from 5:00p.m. - 7:30p.m. at Dr. Granville Moore’s.

10% of your purchase will go towards supplying digital photography equipment for the students at Randle Highlands Elementary School.

The students will begin a project on documenting their lives outside of school and sharing it through photographs and the written word. The goal is to purchase a minimum of 10 digital cameras, memory cards, photo printer, and photo paper.

Taken by 3rd grader on field trip to National Mall. “The others were running around doing cartwheels and then there was just one lying in the grass and reading.”

Dr. Granville Moore’s
1238 H Street

HR-57 Moving & BeBop Cafe Coming

HR-57 at its 14th St. location

Twitter user @mgholwill reports interesting news about local jazz club HR-57. In late January HR-57 will move down the street to 1007 H Street (formerly a church). The new HR-57 will also include a new coffee shop called Alchemy. Visitors to Alchemy will be able to get housemade pastries, as well as breakfast all day long. Owner Tony Puisan isn't giving up the current space at 816 H Street. He plans to use it for his planned BeBop Cafe, which would feature live blues, poetry, and more.

Got NYE Plans?

Photo by philliefan99, contributed to the Frozen Tropics Flickr pool

There is tons of stuff going on, or around, H Street for New Years. Here are the events I'm aware of so far:

Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Heart's Club (1103 Bladensburg Road) has a huge bash planned. Tickets are $20 general admission, and $70 open bar.

The Argonaut (1433 H Street) offers three options for New Years. Upstairs they will have food and drink as part of their New Year's package. Enjoy all you can eat steamed shrimp, mussels, clams, crab legs from 7-9pm. After that you can enjoy munchies from 9pm-close. Open bar 7pm-1am. Complimentary champagne toast, party favors, and a dj starting at 9pm. Tickets are $60. Email argonautdc[at]gmail.com for reservations.

On the first floor from 5-8pm parents can ring in the New Year with the younger set. Free champagne toast for adults, and free sparkling cider/apple juice toast for the kids.

Once 8 o'clock chimes the downstairs converts into a neighborhood New Years Eve celebration that won't break the bank. No cover, no dress code. Reservation suggested, but not required.

Read more »

Local Eating & Drinking Round Up

Big Board, a photo by Nivad on Flickr

Roll Call writes up the Big Board (421 H Street). Express Night Out loves the latkes at the Star and Shamrock (1431 H Street). Toki Underground (2nd floor of 1234 H Street) made the Going Out Gurus Editor's Picks for Best for Soup. Express Night Out talks tattoos with Rodney Henry of Dangerously Delicious Pies [LINK PLAYS MUSIC] (1339 H Street). The Going Out Gurus named Biergarten Haus (1355 H Street) as one of the best bars in DC with an outdoor fire pit.

Sol Mexican Grill Comes to 1251 H Street

Men placard the future home of Sol Mexican Grill

A new restaurant serving Tex-Mex fare will replace the Chinese carryout Danny's. The restaurant will feature a full bar, seating for 35, and a maximum occupancy of 49 patrons. The ABRA application (tavern license) also mentions plans for a small summer garden. Want to try their food before they open? You're in luck, this restaurant is a brick and mortar incarnation of the food truck Sol Mexican Grill. Follow them on Twitter at @solmexicangrill. Read the full application after the jump.
Read more »

Shooting in the 1300 Block of H Street

From MPD:

This morning at approximately 2:52am, officers in the 1300 block of H Street NE heard gunshots at the mouth of the alley on the north side of the street. The officers observed an adult male subject falling to the ground, and he was found to be suffering multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

This matter is currently the subject of an active investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, and therefore no further information is available for release at this time.

Persons with knowledge of this matter, or any unsolved crime, are encouraged to contact the police on a special toll-free Crime Solvers Confidential Telephone Hotline: 1-800-673-2777. Callers need not identify themselves. Information that leads to an arrest and indictment in a case may result in a reward of up to $1,000. (The Crime Solvers confidential telephone is located within the MPDC and is staffed 24 hours a day by Police Department personnel.)

Stone Brewing at Smith Commons

Arrogant Bastard Ale - Are You Worthy?, a photo by Bernt Rostad on Flickr

Are you a fan of the beers from Stone Brewing Company? Do you also dig Smith Commons (1245 H Street)? If the answer is yes you should make a point to stop by the restaurant from 6-7:30 12/19 because you'll be able to sample some of Stone's brews, and meet co-founder Greg Koch.

Pug Holiday Hours

pugnacious fun, a photo by AWard Tour on Flickr

Christmas Eve Saturday 12/24-open at 8:00 p.m.

Christmas Day Sunday 12/25-open at 8:00 p.m.

Boxing Day Monday 12/26-open at 10:30 a.m. for brunch. We'll have bangers and mash plus tons of soccer.

New Years Eve Saturday 12/31-open at 10:30 a.m. for brunch. Champagne toast at midnight. No cover.

New Years Day Sunday 01/01-open at 10:30 a.m. for brunch.

01/02-open at 10:30 a.m. for brunch and bottomless mimosas.

We are also doing a fundraiser for the Yellow Ribbon Fund this Saturday, 12/17. All proceeds from DC Brau sales will be donated.

What Would You Build at 1351 H Street?

Photo courtesy of Ben Miller

The site Popularise officially launched Friday night. It's a crowdsourcing experiment from the guys at Westmill Capital. They recently acquired the autozone lot and 1351 H Street. Their hands are somewhat tied on the Autozone space (existing lease and all), but they are ready to move on 1351 H Street. The event itself was pretty damn cool. They gutted the building, but brought in couches, houseplants, and food and drink. The barebones space looked amazing. They also set up some computers, and a stage with a display screen. The computers were for attendees to suggest uses for the space through Popularise. The stage provided a setting for a sleek presentation on how the team wants to engage the community in the choice of future occupant. The existing list features some merchants who have already expressed interest. One potential candidate is a flagship store for the men's clothing line DURKL. Another option is Red Rocks Pizzeria. You can also suggest your own idea, or vote on the ideas of others.

So, what would you guys like to see at 1351? Please do submit your suggestions to Popularise. But also, what would you like to see all along the H Street Corridor (including Bladensburg Road, Benning Road, or even Florida Avenue). Special instructions for the comments on this one: Please specify if the suggestion is specifically for 1351 H Street. If it isn't, please specify the area in which you would like to see this particular business type. Bonus points if you can elaborate a bit on your proposed business, and why you think it might do well around here.

Streetcar Workshop 12/20

Image courtesy of DDOT

***PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE***
H Street/Benning Road Streetcar Line Workshop
Workshop to Address Interim Connection to Union Station, Car Barn and Training Center, and Installation of Overhead Wires and Substations

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is hosting a workshop on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 to seek public input on the proposed interim connection to Union Station and the various architectural elements that are under consideration for the operations base and maintenance facility that is planned for 26th Street and Benning Road, NE. DDOT will also share details about the overhead wire installation, and supporting poles, and the substations along the line.
Read more »

Even More Local News

014, a photo by aebivins from the Frozen Tropics Flickr pool

Dining:

The Bitches Who Brunch dine at Sticky Rice (1224 H Street).

Services:

The Hill is Home gets a sneak peak at Atlas Vet (the new vet clinic opening at 1326 H Street). Oh, and Atlas Vet is hiring.

Transitions:

The Washington City Paper reveals that Gallaudet University has a new logo meant to embody the University's embrace of bilingual (American Sign Language and English) education.

WBJ: $8.7 Million for Two Streetcars

The Washington Business Journal reports that the District plans to spend $8.7 million to buy two streetcars from a Portland based firm. Both of the streetcars are for the H Street line, and each car can carry 144 passengers.

Local News Roundup

I spy myself, a photo by theqspeaks in the Frozen Tropics Flickr pool

It's been a busy December, so posting has been a little light. Life, however, marches on. Here's some of what's been happening.

Ward 5:

Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. can't be happy about his new fake Twitter account that recently popped up. This account is way more active than fake Kathy Henderson (a local Ward 5 gadfly). The City Paper points out that Thomas has acknowledged the fake account (which is clearly a parody) in a tweet clarifying that it is not his.

Transportation:

The streetcar WILL go up the hopscotch bridge after all. That's quite a relief to some 3rd street residents who worried that the streetcar might run right in front of their homes. WJLA has some video, and rather humorously misquotes the Mayor on this point.

Tuesday night, Mayor Vincent Gray agreed and told city officials what residents have been waiting to hear.

"Those streets are just as narrow, which is H Street," Gray said.

Fear not, he wasn't really muttering gibberish into the mic. He actually said "We're going to do this the right way, and that is on the main thoroughfare, which is H Street." The City Paper has full coverage from the recent meeting (TBD also has info). Did you miss the meeting? If so, you might want to check out all of these meeting materials online. You can also read all the live tweeting from the meeting. Oh, and the new goal for streetcars to be up and running is the summer of 2013. This should please District Cuisine, who thinks the streetcar will play an important role in the H Street dining scene.

Read more »

Holiday Pajama Drive

Good night, a photo by flickrized on Flickr

A mother on Capitol Hill has organized a Christmas pajama drive for foster kids in the District. You can drop off new pajamas at Evolve Property Management (1344 H Street), or have them delivered to The Family Room 411 8th St., SE 32, Washington, DC 20003.

Full press release after the jump.
Read more »

Weekend East City Round Up

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Buy Local, Buy Art Holiday 2011 Edition

Saturday December 10

Brentwood Arts Exchange (10am to 4pm)

In addition to hosting rotating exhibitions of local artists, the Brentwood Arts Exchange displays the work of local artisans and craftspeople. Their extensive inventory of superb crafts will make finding the ideal holiday gift a simple task. For additional details, click here.

The Brentwood Arts Exchange is located at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue in Brentwood, MD

GRUMP Holiday Market (11am to 5pm)

A local collective of artists and artisans, many of whom are Crafty Bastards alumni, will sell their wares in time for the holidays. The event will take place at the American Legion on Capitol Hill. Part of the sales proceeds will be donated to a DC National Guard charity fund. For additional details, click here

The American Legion Hall is located at 224 D St SE

Read more »

Reminder: Streetcar Meeting Tonight

What: The Mayor and various transportation officials will provide a progress update on the streetcars, and also gather audience input.

Where: The Atlas (1333 H Street)

When: 7-8:30pm tonight

Winter Specials at Healthy Motions Massage Therapy

Feeling stressed? The solution might lie in the latest seasonal special from Healthy Motions:

Until December 12, 2011, Winter Special Gift Certificates can be purchased online at our website via PayPal, just click on the Winter Special tab. The cost is $60 for any 60 minute Treatment at our studio (Traditional, Thai, Hot Stone, and Pregnancy Treatments).
Gift Certificates are valid for one year, and there is no limit to the number of Gift Certificates purchased or redeemed.
Online booking available.

Read more »

Crowd Sourcing Comes to H Street

The team behind Westmill Capital, which acquired the Autozone lot (as well as 1351 H Street), is launching a new site aimed at figuring out what the community would like to see in their H Street spaces. The site is currently still in beta, but the launch party is the Friday at 8pm, so expect all to be revealed soon enough.

Holiday Dinner at the Atlas Room 12/12

Photo courtesy of the Atlas Room

The Atlas Room (1015 H Street) has a very tempting special holiday dinner coming up soon. The announcement and description appear below:

Tannic Tongue Holiday Wine Dinner at The Atlas Room

A stupendous lineup of wines from Tannic Tongue with six delicious courses from chef Matt Cordes of The Atlas Room. Those of us familiar with the venue know that seating is limited; book early to avoid heartache.

6:30pm Monday, December 12; seating at 7pm.

Read more »

Another Place to Get Inked on H Street

Tattoo: Jesara, a photo by gemsling on Flickr

A new tattoo parlor is coming to the west end of H Street (416 H Street). Cirque du Rouge offers services for both walk-ins, and those who make appointments. I believe this will be the forth place to get a tattoo along the Corridor, and the second one on the west end.

Homicide in the 1100 Block of 21st Street

A man was shot and killed Saturday evening around 6:45pm in the 1100 block of 21st Street. Police responded to a report of gunfire and found the victim suffering from his wounds. No further info at this time. This is in the Carver-Langston neighborhood.

Zuppa Fresca Comes to Loree Grand

Good news, the vacant space originally slated to house Kitchen on K has a new tenant. Zuppa Fresca, an Italian resaurant, will open there with a young chef named Alfrio Celia. He apparently has lot's of kitchen experience in various fine dining kitchens in the metropolitan area, but this will be his first experience opening his own restaurant.
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FBI Raids Harry Thomas Jr's House

Today's a rough day for Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. The FBI raided his home this morning and the IRS was reportedly also on the scene. There's plenty of news coverage, and tons of Twitter chatter. Here's a timeline from the City Paper, some photos from CP's editor, and a CP primer on exactly why HTJ's in such hot water.

Chicken Tortilla Seeks Liquor License at 1324 H Street

A new restaurant has applied for a CR (restaurant) alcoholic beverage license at 1324 H Street. The application describes Chicken Tortilla as "fast, casual, family style dining." I'm assuming that it's associated with the Chicken Tortilla over by Eastern Market. That one serves Mexican food and Peruvian Chicken. 1324 H Street is next door to Shawafel.

Full application after the jump.
Read more »

Coffee Ceremony at Sidamo

Coffee Ceremony At Sidamo, a photo by I Coleman on Flickr

Share your photos through the Frozen Tropics Flickr pool.

NE DC Book Club Meeting

Join us for the LAUNCH EVENT: Northeast DC Book Club

Monday, December 12, 7-8pm

Open to All

RSVP, or get more info, here.

Featured Book: Washington, DC Protests: Scenes from Home Rule to Civil Rights Movement*

Meet some Northeast DC neighbors. Learn a little about DC. Engage in dynamic discussion. Join us for the Northeast DC Book Club!
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CP: Where the Streetcar May End

Housing Complex examines the options on where to end the streetcar now that Amtrak tunnel is out.

Vegan Chocolate Beer Waffles at Fruit Bat

Fruit Bat (1236 H Street) has been serving brunch for a while now, but they just rolled out a very cool sounding new menu item. During bunch, which now runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am-5pm, you can now order vegan chocolate beer waffles made with Turbodog.