H Street Festival Press Release

Here (slightly behind schedule) is the official press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URBAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL HITS WARD 6!
Washington, DC (Friday, September 23, 2005) - Come out and enjoy the H Street Festival - A celebration of diversity, revitalization and the rebirth of the Ward 6 community on Saturday, October 1 from noon until 6 p.m. located between the 1200 - 1400 blocks of H Street NE, (just 5 blocks from Union Station). This festival has something for everyone!
The main stage, sponsored by Verizon and Coca-Cola, will feature artists such as The Lissen Band, DC native W. Ellington Felton, songstress Wayna, nu-school and ole school R& B artist Afi and the musically diverse band Uninterrupted, with songs influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Earth Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder.
Stage Two (bookend to the main stage) will feature dance performances from one of the largest community based dance centers in the region, Joy of Motion Dance Center, an array of spoken word segments sponsored by Manifest Innertainment, LLC and other performances from the arts community.
Long-standing advocate for the city's political rights and economic development, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will host a booth to meet and greet attendees. Also onsite will be representatives from DC government agencies such as the Dept. of Economic Development, Dept. of Planning, Dept. of Transportation and the Dept. of Recreation.
New restaurants and bars to the area such as the Phish Tea Café, ARGO-NAUT Tavern and the H Street Martini Lounge will open at noon to coincide with the festivities; stop by and inquire about food and drink specials.
Check out Developer's Row hosted by ABDO, Senate Square and National Capitol Revitalization Corporation. Look for the "College Hunks That Haul Junk" truck and the Red Bull booth! There will be face painting and other activities for children to enjoy!
Vendor booths will line the center of H Street, displaying arts and crafts, jewelry, clothes, African art, various types of food and other novelty items. Neighbors new and old, as well as those outside of the community are asked to come out and meet a new friend, taste the latest dish, enjoy great music and see what's new on H Street!
Other sponsors include Ward 6-Councilmember Sharon Ambrose, PNC Bank, Bank of America and MB Staffing.
For vendor space call Kwasi at (202) 607-7314, interested sponsors call Raphael at (202) 256-5335.

H Street in Article on Williams Retirement

Here's an article from the Post that quotes people from a few of H Street's businesses on the legacy of Anthony Williams and what the District looks like today.

[Sorry if you saw this post earlier and it looked funky and had lots of mispellings. I was experiencing a problem with Blogger and I couldn't fix it.]

Events this Weekend

It sounds like H Street will be hopping this weekend. Here are a few suggestions for your consideration (in chron order):

H Street Farmers Market
8:30-12:30 (Every Saturday)
600 block of H Street
Fresh bread, fruits, veggies, cheeses & meats.

Trinidad Ivy City Community Garden Club Yard Sale
This community group is holding a tag sale to raise funds for its community garden and future tree box plantings. The sale will be on Montello just off of Florida (12th Street basically turns into Montello once you cross Florida heading north) & next to the Eli Carryout. Walk down a couple of doors to see some results from the last treebox project. From 10am-2pm.

The H Street Arts & Humanities Festival
The H Street Festival (which had a nice big ad in last week's City Paper) will run from 12pm-6pm. The festival will feature live music, vendors, info booths, art, face painting & much more. Best of all, it's a chance to mingle with neighbors & check out some of the recent changes on H Street. This event will be held on H Street between 12th & 14th.

H Street Martini Lounge Grand Opening
1336 H Street. I'm not sure of the time. I saw noon in an email on the listserv, but it would also be a great place to drop in after the festival. At any rate, check out the newest business on H Street. The Lounge offers food, drinks & live jazz on Saturday. For a more casual atmosphere check out the Argonaut's new weekend hours (opens at 4pm Saturdays & 12pm Sundays). Coffee drinkers should stop by R&B Coffee (now open 9-5 on Sundays).

Taking it All Off

The owner of this building in the 1300 block is using chemicals to refove the paint from his building's facade.

Pigeons & Bars

Post on Invalidated 2002 Tax Assessments

You might want to look at this article on a a judicial challenge to the way DC calculates tax assessments.

Halloween at Sherwood

I snagged this from the ANC6A listserv & it looks like the sender snagged it the Old City Capitol Hill neighborhood Association web site.
*******************************

Sherwood Halloween Event
Date: Monday, October 31, 2005
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Sherwood Recreation Center
Agenda:
In an effort to hold functions at Sherwood that are
intergenerational, culturally diverse and family based, the Sherwood
Recreation Advisory Council will team up with the Department of Parks
and Recreation, Metropolitan Police Department and our other partners
to offer a Halloween event for the community from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.

Our goal is to have children come to a safe event at Sherwood rather
than going to individual homes for candy.

Residents and businesses who wish to volunteer or contribute to this
event are encourage to contact our Executive Director and Site
Manager Maria Barner of the Sherwood Recreation Center at
202.698.3075 for additional information.
http://www.oldcitycapitolhill.org/

Rock & Roll Hotel

Okay, this isn't one of my better shots, but it should help people to identify the building. This is in the 1300 block, right down the street from R&B Coffee.

1400 Block of Maryland

Biz Journal on Streetscape Money

This link was left in a comment to a previous post, but I'm reposting so people don't miss it. This is mostly just more talk about DC's Great Streets program. H Street will get a piece of the pie.

Post Article of Interest

Here's an article from the Post that I think is worth a read. Although the article focuses on Columbia Heights, it is more generally about the race/class issues that often rise to the surface in neighborhoods undergoing change (particularly those experiencing gentrification).

Farmers Market Tomorrow

Children enjoy scones from the market.


Check out the farmers market tomorrow for breads, veggies, fruits, apple cider, honey, cheeses, fruits, sausages, cookies, scones, pork, and more.

When: Saturdays from 8:30am-12:30pm
Where: 600 block of H Street

From the listserv (I can't go to this due to classes, but you should go if at all possible):



Final Design Presentation
Starburst Plaza
(H Street, Bladensburg, Maryland Avenue, Benning Road)

See the final community design for the "Starburst Plaza" - a major new
public space at the intersection of Benning, H Street, Bladensburg Road and
Maryland Avenue in Northeast.


Design Open House and Exhibit
Thursday, September 29
5:00pm - 8:30pm (come at your leisure)
Delta Towers Community Room
1400 Florida Avenue, NE


Contact Information:
Karina Ricks, Great Streets Project Manager
District Department of Transportation
202-671-2542 or karina.ricks@dc.gov
www.starburstplaza.org

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

Horton's Curl Parlor

1400 bock of H Street.

Updated Show Bar Photos

They are obviously still in the process, but you get the idea. The vibe I get is definitely circus, without it feeling too cheesey. What do you think?

Interesting Piece on Sursum Corda

Okay, it's a bit west of here, but this article from the Post is definitely worth a read. The article talks about the recent deal struck between developers and the resident owners (a pretty rare occurance) of the subsidized housing.

R&B Coffee Resumes Sunday Hours

R&B Coffee quietly opened last Sunday for the first Sunday in a while. While the staff had not mentioned the new hours to many people, there was still a larger than expected crowd that passed through that day. I, for one, am thrilled to have R&B open on Sundays again. I can't think of a better place to read the Sunday post. New hours:

Sundays 9-5

Article on H Street Food Co-op

The Common Denominator ran this article on the Food Co-op organizers want to open on H Street. This comes via the anc6a listserv.

Showbar

This photo of 1210 is from last week & it only contains the test colors. They now have more paint up on this place, but you can see the red and yellow colors in this shot. 1210 is going to house Showbar, a circus themed tavern. Showbar will feature a small circus museum that will be open to school tour groups during the day. At night, Showbar will offer live entertainment with (of course) a circus theme. You may remember Showbar as being the root (this was all based on a misunderstanding) of a rumor (not true) that it was to be a strip club.

H Street Festival & Martini Lounge Opening Oct 1st

Thus far both the H Street Arts and Humanities Festival and opening of the H Street Martini Lounge are scheduled for Saturday October 1st. The festival, which will be held from 12pm-6pm from between 12th & the Starburst intersection (where H meets Maryland & Florida), will be the first H Street has seen in a while. A number of H Street businesses have supplied funds and support for the effort, but there isn't much infomation yet on exactly what the festival will feature. Music and food are a safe bet. You can also expect to have booths showcasing local groups and businesses. Though I wish we were hearing more about the festival, I still expect that it will draw a number of curious neighbors. Hopefully it will give everyone a chance to check out some of the recent changes on H Street.

Farm Fresh Market Tomorrow

Where: 600 block of H Street
When: 8:30-12:30
What: fruits, veggies, breads, scones, pies, cheeses & meats.

With fall rolling in pumpkins, gourds & apple cider are beginning to appear at the market.

Fish Window Art in the 1300 Block

Here are a few shots of the fish art in the window of a vacant storefront in the 13oo block of H Street.

PSA 504 Meeting Saturday

When: 10am-12pm Saturday
Where: Developing Families Center, 801 17th Street, NE

In case you missed it. Phish Tea has begun offering a lunch buffet Wed-Friday.

Me & My Supermarket

South side of the 1100 block of H Street.

Hillscape on Englert on the Hill

This (latest) Hillscape column briefly discusses the recent fire at Cap Lounge and Joe Englert's activities on H Street.

In Bloom

Flowers at last Saturday's H Street Farm Fresh Market.

Serial Arsonist Sentenced to Life

There's a story in today's Post about sentencing of the serial arsonist who set ablaze 45 houses and apartments in and around DC. Among the homes set on fire was this
house in the 1200 block of Montello (an 89 year old woman later died from injuries resulting from this fire).

The Bee-Hive & The Red & The Black

Ok, here is a more recent shot of a building I posted a photo of last week. This is 1224 H Street with its new paint job. Eventually, this is going to be the Bee-Hive, which I believe will serve Mexican food & possibly have a beer garden out back. Below please find a before shot of 1224.



This is 1212 H Street (also recently repainted). This is going to house The Red & The Black, which will serve up Lousiana style food with live music.
Here's a before shot of 1212.

H Street's Egpytian Cultural Center in the Post

The Post has this story on tours conducted by the Egpytian Cultural Center in the 400 block of H Street.

Farmers Market Tomorrow

8:30am-12:30pm
Every Saturday
600 block of H Street

Meats, cheeses, breads, cookies, veggies & fruits.

Window Art on H Street

I haven't had time to post any photos yet, but I wanted to point out the fish art hanging in the window of a building in the 1300 block of H Street. The building is empty & has been for a while, but the window decorations add a little life to the space (something to look at other than a vacant window). Placing window art in vacant buildings is hardly a new idea. It has certainly been suggested on H Street before, but this is the first time (outside of the window displays at -the not vacant- Sanctuary). I hope we'll see more art popping up in H Street windows. It would be a great showcase for local artists (maybe some art students from Gallaudet?).

Chamber Concert at The Atlas

From the ANC6A listserv:
Capital City Symphony Chamber Concert featuring members of theSymphony - Sunday, September 25, 2005 at 5 pm.Program:Sonata No. 1 for Viola da Gamba by J.S. BachTrio in F for Flute, Cello, and Piano by MartinuConcerto for 2 Violins in d minor by J.S. BachSerenade, op. 20, in e minor by Elgar Tickets are $15 and available at the Atlas Box officeThe Atlas Performing Arts Center1333 H street

New Paint

this is not a super current photo (it's from a couple of weeks back). If you pass this building today you will notice that they have painted it black & yellow (with attention to the building's diamond design in the bricks). The building, of course, is set to be home to The Beehive & the H-Bomb office (Joe Englert's base of operations on H Street).

Here's a link to an article disputing some points made in last years widely publicized USA Today piece on how gentrification "lifts all boats." The authors of the new article look at the same studies cited by USA Today, but they draw some very different conclusions from the data.

Pre-Condo Demolition at 12th & Florida

Here are a few shots from the recent demolition in preparation for (what I'm told will be) 18 condo units.





They started in on a Friday & by Sunday the buildings were down. Pretty fast, considering how long the owners sat on the property. It makes me wonder when they'll start construction. Also, I was talking to someone the other day about how this space looks too big for 18 units. He said he thought this space had to be the same size as the lot for the New Yorker (located, oddly enough, at 3rd & L) & the New Yorker will have 40 units.

Live Jazz at the Majestic

Here is a link to a blurb (in the Hill Rag) about live music at the Majestic by Gwen.

Cluck-U in the Hill Rag

Check out this article on the Cluck-U-Chicken controversey.

Faux Flowers

Far northeast Trinidad.

Gourmet Deli to Open at 13th & H Street

I walked by Pizza Italiano today and noticed that they had ripped out the counter and plexi-glass divider. When questioned, the owners said that a gourmet deli would be replacing the pizza place. They said the deli could be open in as little as two months.

Hurricane Refugees in DC

This is a repost from the HillEast listserv (I don't usually repost from there, but I think this one is okay). I'll admit that I have tons of family in southern Lousiniana (so this is an issue that is a bit near & dear to me). Beyond that (& I'm sure you guys don't really need any convincing, but...) this a serious humanitarian issue (with definite class/race issues involved) right here in the U.S. So, despite the fact that it is not specifically Trinidad, or H Street, I hope that you will all take advantage of this chance/obligation to help out. If you are like me and can't physically help out in the tramatised gulf states because of work/school, you should definitely take advantage of the notice below. If this doesn't work with your schedule/they get too many volunteers, i hope you will consider donating to the Red Cross/Second Harvest (a group I have worked with in New Orleans) or other worthy organizations. Also, I take that back about this not being a specifically Trinidad, or H Street issue. The fact is that some of these kids will flow into the DCPS system. So there, it's now everyone's business. The original posting:

Okay folks--now we have a chance to do something in our own neighborhood
for the Hurricane Victims!!
The Red Cross and USAID need our help---it's all still very very
preliminary--but approx 500-1000 refugees are coming from primarily New
Orleans to stay at the armory on Capitol Hill in the coming days...they
are going to need volunteers to help the Victims get settled here and
doing a variety of tasks as we all attempt to bring some sense of safety
and normalcy back into their lives. Here is the e-mail from
Jeffrey--please click on his e-mail link to give him your best contact
info in the coming days/weeks...
Please read below

If you are interested in volunteering with the American Red Cross National
Capital Area Chapter, please send me your name, phone number, and e-mail
address. I'll compile a list and send it over to the Red Cross. They don't
have too many details yet, but they are still planning on roughly 400
folks from affected areas arriving sometime on Sunday (although the
situation is very fluid). The idea is that the displaced would be housed
at the DC Armory in a shelter managed by the Red Cross. Volunteers would
likely help with set up, registration, distribution of hygiene kits, and
food.
The POC at Red Cross for the Armory is Jeffrey Daniels - his contact info
is listed below. However, it would be helpful if you sent your information
to me so that I can forward Jeffrey a consolidated list. This way, he'll
have less phone calls and e-mails to return. It would be great if you
could send me your contact info by COB today (Friday).
The situation is still evolving, so please be patient...
Jeffrey Daniels
Manager, Emergency Services -- Washington, D.C.
American Red Cross of the National Capital Area
District of Columbia Office
2025 E St., NW | Suite SE1-068
Washington, DC 20006
ph: (202) 303-4521
danielsj@redcrossnca.org

Farmers Market Saturday

Way better than the grocery store! Get all manner of breads, cheeses, fruits & veggies straight from the farmer, baker, or cheese maker to you.
When: 8:30am-12:30pm
Where: 600 block of H Street (across from Murray's)

Sun & Moon at Night

Blues Tuesdays at Phish Tea

Every Tuesday Phish Tea hosts a blues night featuring live music. In addition to blues, the evenings also include jazz and karaoke. The event runs from 5-10pm.