Post on School Consolidation

Here's the Post article on the proposed consolidation of various DC schools.

Webb & Wheatley Permanent Consolidation?

Wheatley from the intersection of Neal & Montello.

One of the Main buildings & a pre-fab buddy from behind.

The view looking down Neal Street.
As predicted, DC Public Schools is considering make the consolidation of Webb Elementary (Mt. Olivet Road) & Wheatley Elementary (Neal Street) permanent. Wheatley is currently vacant (and has been for at least three years) pending renovation. If DCPS decides to make the consolidation permanent, the renovation of Wheatley would be cancelled & the school would likely be disposed of as surplus property.

Webb Elementary (sorry I didn't have a better shot of the school). The entire thing is non-descript & boxy.

The Long Walk

An unidentified street in Trinidad (somewhere near where Staples & Holbrook meet Oates).

***************************************
UPDATE
***************************************
This has been identified as Oates looking towards Bladensburg (so I had the rough location right).

Ethiopian Coffee Shop on the 400 Block of H?

From the comments (this is the first I've heard of anything like this):

Apparently an Ethiopian coffee shop/bakery type joint is going to go in on the 400 block as well

Bookstore Coming to H Street

Reader's Lounge is moving in at 421 H Street.

A Blast From the Past

Doing a google search, I came across this old page on Hill Talk (Voice of the Hill Discussion Boards). I've seen this particular page before, but it seemed striking this time to see the posts (which are now around 5 years old) because, not only were many of these posters wanting the same things we want now, but many of the things they fantasized about having on H Street are either here, or coming.

The Future of the Luna Laudromat Space?

There is a great deal of work going on in the former home of Luna Laundromat (400 block of H Street). Anyone have the scoop on what might being go in there?

I'm going to miss the Luna sign. I can't decide if I like it better than this sign for a defunct laundromat on Bladensburg Road.

I think I'm going to have to go with Delux-O-Mat as slightly cooler for the retro design, but Luna as more creative & funky overall. Both are way better than the crappy laundromat down the street from me (Trinidad Ave & Florida Ave).

**********************************
UPDATE
**********************************
I was just down there, & apparently, it is going to be a hot yoga studio.

Decrepit

From the fog photos earlier this spring. I believe this is Staples Street again.

Rose's Liquor on Bladensburg Road

Sometime last year Rose's received a sanction for selling alcohol to a minor & providing him with "go" cups.

Renovation & Shopping @ the Florida Market

I stopped off at the wholesale food district/Florida Market area yesterday to pick up some quick greens. While I was there I noticed that a couple of buildings (one large, and one very small on Morse between 3rd & 4th) were completely fenced off. I ask someone about it & he told me there are immediate plans to renovate the two buildings. I'm referring to the tiny house next to Young's & the large building across from Best Kitchen Supply.

As for the shopping (Sam Wang's & Kang's Farms):
2 bushels of spinach
one red pepper
5 roma tomatoes
3 vine tomatoes
2 stalks of bok choy
5 cans sardines
a couple of handfuls of mushrooms
1 japanese eggplant
_______________
$10.13

Just as a side note, Kang's Farms has a great selection of rices (including my favorite brown rice from California) & beans in bags larger than you will find at the revamped Safeway at Hechinger (I think the Safeway made space for new products by eliminating the larger sized versions of old products).

Tires

Bladensburg Road (western side).

TIC Community Garden Club Preps for Spring

The following is a post from the Trinidad-Ivy City Community Garden Club:



Now that spring is in the air & the bulbs are coming up, it is time once again for the Trinidad-Ivy City Community Garden Club to take up our shovels and make an appearance on the corner.

We did a little treebox repair project last weekend before kicking off the public season for the year. Our bricklined treeboxes on Montello endured a bit of fall/winter abuse.

We decided to undertake this particular task before opening the public season because we want to move forward and welcome new members with the strong message that we don't just want to do one time planting projects. We want to keep returning to the scene of the crime to maintain what we have created.

We believe that building a strong community is about following through & being there for the long run.

Occasional clean-ups are a great thing, don't get us wrong, but isolated events are...um, isolated. They each become just a flash in the pan.

So, while planting treeboxes is fun & the flowers look much better than the debris that once occupied the space, the planting of treeboxes is not our end goal.

We hope that by getting neighbors our out on the street & talking & working together, that maybe a little community building can happen along the way.

And just maybe, if enough of us are out there on a regular basis, we can get to know our neighbors a little better & strive to work together to make Trinidad the best community it can be.
Also, check out a reference to this post in the blog Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space.

Soul in The City Tonight @R&B Coffee

R&B Coffee (1359 H Street NE) presents "Soul in the City" every Thursday night. Here are the vitals:

When: Every Thursday (beginning March 16th) from 8pm-1am
What: Rare Grooves, Funk, Soul, and whatever else feels good...featuring DJ 2-Tone Jones
Who: Anyone with the inclination (all ages welcome).

Dry Cleaners for Sale

A couple of messages were left in the comments saying that the dry cleaners next to R. L. Christian Library (1300 block of H Street) is up for sale...for $700,000. Just in case you were temped to sink your hard earned dollars into this little safety glass clad beauty, I say CAVEAT EMPTOR! The buyer is to bear the cost of all enviromental liabilities (those nice dry cleaning chemicals that have polluted the area), and I don't think it will be cheap.

Where Are We?

Eastern Trinidad. I'm almost certain that these houses are on Staples, but this could also be Holbrook, can anyone help me out on this one (this is the 1200 block)?

New Signs on H Street

I noticed that Sanctuary (the art gallery & performance space in the the 1300 block of H Street) has replaced its old sign (pictured below) with the lit box shown above. I wouldn't exactly call it an improvement. All I can think is that the old one was hard to read when not turned on.


A couple of blocks down, Willpower Health & Fitness is also sporting a new sign. No photo of that one, but I have no objections to it either (it's pretty much the name & logo guy with the weights).

Trinidad Flicks?

Joe Cole Fitness Center's eastern wall

I'm slightly obsessed with the projection of movies onto buildings. With this in mind, you can imagine my delight upon realizing that the Joe Cole Fitness Center's eastern wall might be fit for this purpose (last summer I looked in vain for a suitable H Street location). The fitness center is ideal because the wall is light colored, there is a large grassy area for sitting, you do not get the traffic noise that you would get with a busy street like H Street, and I'm pretty sure that lighting would not be a problem. This is just a thought, but isn't it appealing?

Want to see more photos of the rec? Check them here.

Palace of Wonders Progress Continues

That little awning bearing the street number is new (up for around 2 weeks). This is the futrue home of the Joe Englert associated Palace of Wonders (aka Showbar), a circus themed establishment that will offer patrons popcorn & cotton candy while they witness sword swallowing & other oddities.

R&B Coffee to Hold Big Garage Sale Saturday

What: A large selection of items offered for purchase & coffee.

Where: 1359 H Street NE (and the alley behind 1359).

When: 9am-5pm Saturday March 25th.

NYT: Development in the Bronx

Check out this New York Times story on development in the Bronx. The article is worth a read because it touches on issues that are very topical for DC (and specifically areas that surround Capitol Hill). The article asks what will happen to the people in an area as it gentrifies/is redeveloped. It also brings up questions about what kind of development is appropriate for a given neighborhood.

Post: DCPS Seeks to Close Under-Enrolled Schools

Take a peek at this Washington Post story on DCPS plans to close under-enrolled schools. I have been told by certain ANC 5B reps that Wheatley Elementary (pictured below) will be renovated & re-opened as a neighborhood school . I find it hard to believe (unless, of course, overcrowding is an issue at Webb) that DCPS would spend the money to renovate & re-open Wheatley at a time when the District is actively seeking to consolidate schools & shed excess properties.

Different Generations, But Both Are Empty

Wheatley Elementary from the back (1200 block of Neal Street).

Post: a Joe Englert Project in Petworth

Here's one I missed the first time around. This is a Washington Post piece on the restaurant/tavern Temperance Hall that recently opening up in the Georgia Ave/Petworth area. I mention this because it's another recent project involving Joe Englert. It's been open since January.

2 Meetings Tomorrow!

PSA 504 Meeting

What: a police service area meeting for PSA 504 (includes all of Trinidad)

Where: 801 17th Street NE (Developing Families Center)

When: 10-11:30am Saturday March 18th

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Joint meeting of HSMS Promotions & Economic Restructuring Committees

What: H Street Main Street Committee Meetings. Everyone is encouraged to come & get involved.

Where: 1359 H Street NE (R&B Coffee)

When: 11am Saturday March 18th

In Bloom @ the Rec

A tree blooms outside the Joseph Cole Fitness Center (1200 block of Morse). On the otherside of the fitness center you can get free mulch, woodchips, or topsoil.

Post: Sanctuary's 3rd Anniversary Party

Take a peak at the mention of Sanctuary's recent 3rd Anniversary party. Thanks to Ken for the heads up.

Chicago Tribune on R&B's The Happening

Check out this piece from the Chicago Tribune on R&B Coffee's recent event, the Happening. Thanks to Ken for the heads up.

Decorating the Doorway

1300 block of H Street.

HSMS Mtg Saturday @R&B Coffee

From the listserv:

There is a joint meeting of the H Street Main Street Promotions and
Economic Restructuring Committees this Saturday the 18th (11:00am at
R&B Coffee, 1359 H Street).

Come join us this Saturday and bring your neighborhood friends as
well!

R&B Coffee Adds Evening Hours & Music

R&B Coffee (1359 H Street NE) is adding some night-time hours on Thursdays. Here are the vitals on Thursday nights ("Soul in the City"):

When: Every Thursday (beginning March 16th) from 8pm-1am
What: Rare Grooves, Funk, Soul, and whatever else feels good...featuring DJ 2-Tone Jones
Who: Anyone with the inclination (all ages welcome).

Sticking it to H Street's Trees

You may have noticed these lovely signs adorning some of H Street's trees in the higher umber blocks of the corridor (these shots are from the 1300 block). But did you notice that the sign hanger (and these are illegal anyway) actually stapled the signs to the trees?

Results for the Streetcar Termination Poll

DDOT is still trying to decide if the streetcar will terminate inside of Union Station (better metrorail connectivity) or go under the bridge (might make more sense if the line is extended to Georgetown). What do you think? [111 votes total]
Under the bridge to the other side. (31)	28%
Inside the station (there is an unused tunnel). (80)	72%

All things must come to an end, and that includes this poll. Some people suggested that I should have offered a third option that would allow the streetcar to go to both places. Here's why I didn't give that as an option:
-I heard about the existing options from people that attended the meeting & they only
mentioned 2 options (I couldn't go to the meeting because I had class). The suggested
advantages of each option also came from the first person who suggested a poll (so I suspect
that maybe these advantages we somehow made clear at the DDOT open house).
-I'm not sure this was an option to stop at both places (sometimes when the city presents an
either, or question, they won't pay for both choices).
-The issue wasn't raised until after I created the poll, so changing it would mess with the results.

Some people also wanted more details before making a decision. Again, I'm sorry I couldn't make the meeting. I also haven't seen anything from DDOT that exactly lays out the details that would be useful. At any rate, this is just a little informal/for fun poll to show us all what the rest of us are thinking.

H Street Zoning News

I've been too busy with school to do more than glance at it, but here is the new Zoning Commission order creating the H Street Overlay. Thanks to Mark Eckenwiler for leaving the link in the comments.

Private Eyes

In an alley behind Bladensburg Road (approaching Oates from the south).

They've picked a bright new color to celebrate opening up a second store (the original one will focus on books & music) down the street. Both stores are located at 13th & H Street.

PSA 504 Meeting Saturday

What: a police service area meeting

Where: 801 17th Street NE (Developing Families Center)

When: 10-11:30am Saturday March 18th

Residential Street Sweeping to Resume 3/20

Contact: Mary Myers, DPW
For Immediate Release
(202) 671-2375
Residential Street Sweeping Resumes Monday, March 20
Motorists can receive a $30 fine if parked in a street-sweeping zone.(Washington, DC) Following the annual winter hiatus, mechanical street cleaning resumes in the District's most heavily trafficked neighborhoods onMonday, March 20, 2006, the first day of spring. Alternate-side parking restrictions in these areas will also return. Parking citations ($30 fine) will be issued to vehicles parked during street sweeping hours in areas posted with "No Parking/Street Cleaning" signs. Additionally, parked cars may be towed to allow the sweepers access to the curbside.Weekly street cleaning routes are typically located in the city's high-density neighborhoods, especially areas with significant foot traffic.Street sweeping reduces debris that would otherwise be carried by rain and run-off into the city's storm drains, polluting the District's rivers. The sweepers remove litter from the street by brushing it onto a conveyor system, which transports the material into a debris hopper. Residents and businesses also play a role in maintaining street cleanliness.District law requires property owners to sweep or keep clean the area infront of their homes or businesses, from the curb line out 18 inches into the road way. For more information about the street cleaning program, visit DPW's website at www.dpw.dc.gov <http://www.dpw.dc.gov>.

Cherry Blossom Festival on H Street

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Cherry Blossom Festival Comes to the H Street Corridor
Contact: Jen DeMayo
Email: Jdemayo@atlasarts.org
Phone: 202.399.7993
973.953.9831

The Cherry Blossom Festival Comes to H Street Northeast

Washington, DC March 8, 2006 - The National Cherry Blossom Festival is coming to The Atlas this year, and it's bringing visitors from across the country to H Street NE! The Washington Savoyards presents the world premiere of The Condensed Mikado. All the fun and music from Gilbert & Sullivan's beloved opera boiled down to less than one hour!! Performances: March 29 - April 9, Wednesday - Sunday at 7:30PM, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30PM.

All tickets are $15.00 Tickets can be purchased at the Atlas Box Office by phone (202) 399 7993 or online at www.savoyards.org.

From Illinois to Mississippi and as far as Alaska, eager Gilbert and Sullivan fans and Cherry Blossom attendees are calling the Atlas Performing Arts Center to book their tickets to this delightful new production of Gilbert and Sullivan's beloved opera The Mikado. Conceived and directed by Savoyards Alum, Scott Kenison, with music adapted by David Simmons, this production is guaranteed to delight and amuse the entire family. As part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and presented at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in the arts and entertainment district of the H Street NE corridor, the production brings together Savoyards alums Bailey Whiteman as Katisha, Mary Gresock as Yum Yum, Jonathan Powers as Pooh Bah, Karen Rice as Pitti Sing, Pablo Zyberglait as Ko Ko, and newcomers Reah Walker, as Peep Bo and Patrick Miller as The Mikado.

About the Atlas - The Atlas Performing Arts Center, located at 1333 H Street NE, is the lynchpin of the redevelopment of the H Street Arts and Entertainment District. When completed in September of 2006, the 58,000 square foot center will include two professional theatres, two lab theatres, Dance Studios and production support spaces. Currently, the lab theatres and dance studios are in operation and bring more patrons to the H Street corridor every day.

About The Washington Savoyards - The Washington Savoyards, Ltd. is the Washington area's premier Gilbert and Sullivan light opera company. The Savoyards is committed to giving people, from children to senior citizens, the opportunity to learn and enjoy the art of opera whileworking with seasoned professionals.

New Sign @ Euro Design Styles

Don't be mislead by the 50% Off Clearance Sale, or the blacked-out sign. Euro Design Styles (1300 block of H Street -the sign that now says "Styles") isn't going anywhere. The owner is just having a painter create a new sign to spiff up the place a bit.

Roll Call: Mural @Starburst Plaza

Roll Call has another short one today (subscription only), this time on the Starburst Plaza. The Starburst Plaza is to be built at the intersection of H Street, Benning, Florida, ect. as part of the Great Streets program. There was an open house recently to show off the latest plans for the Starburst Plaza.

Any Info on Carlink?

Does anyone know what is going on at Carlink (14th & Maryland)? Apparently the fences are down & there are piles of sand & gravel everywhere.

Street Car Poll

Do you think the streetcar line should terminate in Union Station, or outside on H Street? Answer by voting in the poll in the sidebar.

Post on Hall Trial

The Washington Post has a story on the outcome of the recent trial and conviction of former ANC 6C Commissioner Robert Hall.

VOH: Rivera Lawsuit

The Voice of the Hill has a story on the defamation lawsuit filed by ANC 6C Commissioner Anthony Rivera against Alan Kimber, the resident spearheading efforts to recall Rivera. Commissioner Rivera was recently indicted along with another man on a number of charges related a Ponzi scheme masterminded by former ANC 6C Commissioner Robert Hall (Hall was convicted Friday).

Nifty Thrift

Florida & Orren.

Joy of Motion Open House Saturday

Joy of Motion Spring Open House This Saturday
at the Atlas Performing Arts Center


Saturday, March 11,
12:00 - 4:00 pm
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St. NW
Washington, DC 20002

Join us for Joy Of Motion DC's 2nd Annual Open House at the Atlas
Performing Arts Center. Activities include class demonstrations,
performances,seated Massages, and the chance to meet our faculty. Enjoy
refreshments and Flexicard specials!

Rebuilding Place: Florida Market

Check out this post from Richard (of Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space) on the wholesale food district (aka the Florida Market).

PSA 102 Mtg March 14th

I received this by email:
WHAT: Police Service Area (PSA) 102 monthly meeting
WHEN: March 14 (2nd Tuesday of each month)
TIME: 7-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St NE

AGENDA:
* Learn more about community prosecution in the First
Police District: First District Prosecutor Giuliana
Dunham of the U.S. Attorneys Office will explain
what happens after suspects are arrested by police.
She will explain what's called the "papering process"
and why some people are charged with crimes while
others are released. Learn more here:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/dc/Neighborhoods/District_1.html

* Assess burglary situation to see if arrests have
been made or stats show frequency decreasing. Review
other statistics.

* H Street NE footbeat update.

* Identify problem areas in PSA 102 which citizens
can remedy through the Partnership for Problem
Solving(PPS) process.

**** PSA 102 meetings enable residents and police to
discuss, identify and take action against crime and
other quality of life issues in the community. The
meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at the
Sherwood Recreation Center,10th and G Streets NE.
7-8:30 p.m. Tell your friends and neighbors! ****

BOUNDRIES of PSA 102 are (clockwise) the railroad
tracks at Union Station,
Florida Avenue NE, Maryland Avenue NE, 9th Street,
East Capitol Street, 2nd Street, Massachusetts Avenue,
and Columbus Circle. See the MPD website and map
to determine your PSA.


BE INFORMED about PSA 102 by joining the NELink
listserv. (NELink recently was moved to Google groups
from Yahoo, so please re-join):
http://groups.google.com/group/NELink/

MORE INFORMATION about the First District and its
seven PSAs is available at the
Metropolitan Police Department website:

QUESTIONS can be answered by
PSA 102 Citizen Coordinators:
Marc Lesnick: 202-543-3736 marc_lesnick@yahoo.com

David Klavitter: 202-547-5745 klav@questforquiet.org
Or Alphonso C. Coles, MPD Community Outreach
Coordinator: 202-497-5033

VOH: Hall Trial Part IV

More news on the Hall Trial wrap-up & general oddness. Who knew that Hall, who previously served as an ANC Commissioner in 6C, was once charged with 2nd degree burglary & use of a handgun (in MoCo in 2003, charges later dropped)? It doesn't seem like anyone exactly knows how much money Hall stole from investors, but it appears to be over the million $ mark. The entire story is pretty shocking, so I'll just suggest that you check it out here. At any rate, this conviction does not bode well for current ANC 6C Commissoner Anthony Rivera (he replaced Hall, when Hall moved out of the SMD), who has been indicted by the DOJ on related charges.

Anybody Go to the Streetscape Open House?

Did anybody attend last night's DDOT/Great Streets open house?

Roll Call: Steuart Plan @ 3rd & H Street

Roll Call has another story on H Street. Here are some key points:
-Steuart is negotiating a lease with Harris Teeter (no firm comittment yet).
-The grocery space is tailored to Harris Teeter's look.
-They want to build 250 apartments upstairs (10% affordable).
-375 total underground parking spots for the store (121 just for the store) & apartments.
-Public hearing on the plans in June.
-Style similar to that of The Ellington (13th & U NW).
-Expecting to break ground in early spring of nexr year.

Lunch at Daavi's

I found myself eating lunch at Daavi's (1400 block of H Street) yesterday. I was grabbing a bite with a friend just before 3pm (so R&B Coffee was closing & the Argonaut wouldn't open for another hour). I'd never been to Daavi's, but it seemed to be the only option, so we stopped in. The place was empty except for one man seated at the table next to us who seemed to be enjoying his dish. My friend ordered the spinach, and I chose the curried chicken ($8 each). Both had nice flavor & decent levels of spice. I have very limited experience with West African food, so I can't meaningfully compare Daavi's food to that offered by the other West African restaurants I've visited.

Tonight -H Street Streetscape Open House

See the latest plans for H Street from the Great Streets people. Learn about the overall plan & see the Starburst Plaza renderings.
When: tonight from 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: H Street Playhouse 1365 H Street, NE

Hill Rag: ANC 6A Applies Leverage By the Book

Here's a piece from the Hill Rag on ANC 6A & its muscle flexing.

Hill Rag ANC Reports

Check out the Hill Rag's ANC reports:

ANC 6A: DCRA & ABRA complaints.

ANC 6C: the PUD at 3rd & K, NoMa development (that reference to 1222 I Street is some kind of typo, 12th & I is in ANC 6A & it's a house).

ANC 6A Commissioner Rivera Suing Kimber?

The following document was in my inbox when I checked my email this morning. I can't guarantee that it's authentic...yet. But it is worth looking at. Assuming that this document is legit, Mr. Rivera is suing Mr. Kimber (who is hoping to take over Mr. Rivera's ANC 6C seat) for defamation. Mr. Rivera was recently indicted by the DOJ on some money laundering related charges. On Friday afternoon, Mr. Robert Hall, who was indicted earlier by the DOJ for related charges, was convicted on numerous charges (he was charged with a lot more than Mr. Rivera is) & now faces fines of up to $1,000,000.00 in fines & 350 years in prison. Mr. Hall represented himself in court & in what I can only assume was a highlight of the trial, introduced nearly 200 bounced checks bearing his signature as evidence that he intended to pay the investors he was ripping off. Oh, and it was Mr. Hall's seat before it belonged to Mr. Rivera. Not to be outdone, it appears that Mr. Rivera has filed this complaint pro se (i.e. w/out an attorney). My favorite part is where he asks for $1,200,000.00 in damages.

Former ANC Commissioner Hall Convicted

Former ANC 6C Commissioner Robert Hall, who wasindicted by the DOJ last yuear on various counts stemming from his involvement with a ponzi scheme, was convicted late Friday afternoon. Check out the press release here. Hall now face up to 350 years in prison, and fines up to one million dollars.

Roll Call: Police Changes on H Street?

You may recall the recent news of a stepped-up evening police presence on H Street. You may have noticed that there just seem to be more police doing more things in the area recently (or so it seems to me & to some of my neighbors). You have probably also heard the talk that some would like to see a new police service station set up on H Street. It's my understanding that even if the 1st District might be considering setting up a new service station, it would not necessarily be located on H Street. Now, here's an article from Roll Call (subscription required) on the overall issue of police presence on H Street. Basically, the article just talks about how the police, the residents & the ANC are all committed to working together to try to solve the persistent crime problems in and around the H Street Corridor.

A Stop @ Phish Tea

A customer waits for her drink at Phish Tea Cafe (1300 block of H Street).

The Cleaners

1300 block of H Street.

HSMS Meeting Announcement

H Street Main Street is hoping to get local residents & area business (or land) owners more involved. Check out their meeting announcements below:

Please come out for the first 2006 Design Committee Meeting on March 6, 2006 at 7pm and the Economic Restructuring Committee Meeting on March 8, 2006 at 7pm. Both meetings will be held at the H Street Main Street Office (Old Bank of America building at 10th and H ).

Please invite others that you may know have an interest.

Thanks and hope to see everyone there!!!

Please feel free to email and or call Shalonda Hunter, Executive Director of H Street Main Street, Inc at (202) 543-0161.

Don't Forget- Neighborhood Meet & Greet Sunday

If you live on Florida Ave, or Morse Street, between Montello & Orren (or on Orren, Trinidad, or Montello, between Florida & Morse), you are invited to a neighborhood meet & greet. This is a chance to visit with neighbors & find out more about what's happening in your area.

Where: R&B Coffee (1359 H Street NE)
When: Sunday March 5th at 2pm

Can't make the meeting, but want to add your name to the email, or phone list?
Call 202-371-7407, or email: inked78@hotmail.com

VOH: Hall Trial Goes to Jury

The Voice of the Hill has another article on the progress in the trial of indicted former ANC 6C Commissioner Robert Hall. Hall is accused of defrauding unwary investors of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a ponzi scheme that he masterminded. He fired three defense lawyers and ultimately chose to represent himself. Yesterday the two sides delivered their closings & Halls fate now rests with the jury. As part of his defense, Hall introduced 198 bounced checks to investors claiming that these checks show that he intended to pay the investors (some of whom he reportedly promised annual rates of return as high as 153%).

Another Take Re:the Plan for the Wholesale Food District

Check out Rebuild Place in the Urban Space's post on today's Washington Post article regarding a development plan for the Florida Market area.

ANC 6A Transportation Comm. Mtg Tonight

March 2, 2006 (Thursday)~ 7:00-8:45 PM
Sherwood Recreation Center

1. Transportation projects update:

Karina Ricks, Great Streets Project Coordinator

Christopher Delphs, Ward 6 Transportation Planner

2. Committee subgroup selections

3. Schedule of monthly committee meetings

Seeking H Street Info

From the listserv:

My name is Waylon Anderson. I am a dancer and choreographer. I need the support and help of the H street community. I'm creating two works about this diverse community and presenting them at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The dances are based on life experiences in the community just prior to the riots of 1968 and the present day (including the transition this community is currently under taking). I would like for members of this site to e-mail me
three paragraphs. (Feel free to pass this on to anyone that you feel may be interested in submitting their story.) In the first paragraph, I would like for you to tell your experiences about H Street community/corridor in the months prior to the riots. What did the streets look like? What type of people lived in the community? What was your favorite store on the corridor? Where did you live? Why did you live there? What was the weather like? What were some of the vivid smells in the air? Etc. In the second paragraph, I would like for you to speak about the H Street community/corridor of today. Why are you still in the neighborhood? What brought you to this neighborhood? What do you love about it? What do you hate about it? What is your role in the community? Do you have a role in the community? Etc. In the third paragraph I would like you to talk about were you would like to see the community tomorrow. Please limit your writings to one page. Your writings will be used to support the new works, by sending me your stories you give me the right to use them to convey the essence of the H Street Community. With your support I will use your lives, experiences, and knowledge
to place a mirror in front of the community, and ask a few questions. What is your purpose? Why are you here? Do you know the meaning of all of this? I would like to use the art of dance to encourage people to get involved.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

wba76@msn.com

Post Article on Wholesale Food District

You'll want to read this Post piece on one man's plan to redevelop the wholesale food district just north of Florida Ave (right across from the NY Metro station). I've mentioned this plan before, and frankly, it really concerns me. This guy wants to totally change the character of the area. He hopes to put in an ampitheater & bowling alley (can you say Gallery Place-"Chinatown"?). I think the market is a great neighborhood asset that needs to be redeveloped sensitively. When I look at the Florida Market area, I see the potential for something far greater than Eastern Market (the Florida Ave Market has a lot more area). We're talking about an actual market district that has managed to survive while so many of DC's markets were bulldozed to make way for the future. Lots of cities have wisely embraced & capitalized on districts much like this one.

Gray Atlas

1300 block of H Street.

A Look at a Former H Street Business

Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space has a nice piece on a musical instrument dealer who once operated out of the 1200 block of H Street (prior to the 1968 riots).

Post: Trio Robs Gallaudet Student w/Sign Language

Here's one I read the other day, but neglected to post here. A 23 Gallaudet student was recently robbed in his backyard (600 block of Florida Ave) by three men using sign language who claimed that he owed them money. The crime occurred around 8:30pm.

More News on Shooting by Off-Duty Cop

I missed this one before, so here is is now. According to this most recent article the officer may have been buying a house in the 1200 block of Oates from the family of the man shot.

Mtg Re: 300 Block of H Street

From a listserv:

Linden Neighborhood Association

*LNA invites you to a meeting of neighbors and business*



*HARRIS TEETER COMING TO H STREET?*

*Forget listening to rumors come hear what's really going on from the owner's of the property. What's going to happen to the 300 Block of H Street, N.E.? How will it affect property values and spur real development from 1100-1300blocks of H Street? Ask questions of the developers and get informed.*

What's going to happen to the 300 Block of H Street, N.E.?


*Monday, 6 March 2006*

*7:00P.M.*

*H Street Martini Bar and Lounge*

*1236 H Street, N.E.***

*Washington**, D.C.** 20002*



www.oldcitycapitolhill.org