Post: Crafts Sale/Show @Palace of Wonders

The Going Out Gurus recommend the Holiday Crafts Show at Palace of Wonders Sunday December 10th at 7pm. Hipster craft at affordable prices. Should be interesting.

WP: Zip Car/Flexcar

The post reports on the two car sharing services and how they fit into life in DC. Could Flexcar
and Zip Car be part of the answer to DC's parking woes (and avoiding parking problems on/near H Street)?

New Monthly Event @Red & the Black

U.B.U. Dance Party! 1st Saturday of every month. Favorite Music of the 80's and beyond: New Wave/Alternative/Goth/ Industrial/Electronic/Punk and whatever else fits the mood.
Featuring DJ Misguided & DJ Mellie Mel

Starts Dec. 2nd @The Red & Black 1212 H Street NE
9:00pm-2:00am $5 admission

Atlas Courtesy Shuttle
Available FREE every Friday & Saturday, 10 PM - 2:30 AM from H Street to Union
Station. Please call: (202) 906-0697 for pick up!

Missed News

With the recent holiday I missed a few items, one of which was the Uline Area landmarking. Read about it in the Express, Rebuilding Place, or Voice of the Hill. Also see this Rebuilding Place piece on the landmarking of the arena it leads to some other nice news links too).

Item #2: the resolution of the disagreement over the building coming to the south side of H Street's 600 block.

Item #3: two Phish Tea patrons got into a fight and one pulled out and discharged a gun. No injuries reported. This happen November 20th.

Item #4: there have been several recent burglaries and car break-ins in the area around the intersection of Morse & Montello. Please keep your porch lights on and your eyes open. Use the club if you've got it, and be careful what you leave in your car.

Neighborhood Discout @ the Atlas

This weekend offers audiences the first opportunity to see the Atlas Performing Arts Center at its best. Two of the Atlas Arts Partners have performances in the two newest theatres. To celebrate the opening of the theatres we are giving our neighbors a 10% discount on all tickets to Atlas performances from now through the end of the year. Ticket buyers simply need to type in the discount code HST10 to receive the discount when purchasing tickets online or simply inform the box office staff if purchasing tickets over the phone. Tickets can be purchase online at www.atlasarts.org or by calling the box office at 202-399-7993.

The African Continuum Theatre Company takes up residence in its new home in the Sprenger Theatre with Lorraine Hansberry’s classic A Raisin in the Sun, which opens December 2nd . Sunday December 3rd at 4pm audiences of all ages will enjoy the Capital City Symphony’s Second Annual Family Concert, which will focus on DC area composers

Set in Chicago’s south side in the 1950s, Raisin gives passionate insight into the dreams and conflicts of three generations of the Younger family, months after the death of the family patriarch. The struggles that threaten to tear them apart culminate in an aspiring, uplifting triumph over racism and despair.

“The same issues of race, class and family struggle that Hansberry wrote about more than 40 years ago are still deeply felt today,” says Director and African Continuum Theatre Producing Artistic Director Jennifer L. Nelson. “Washington, DC audiences will relate to the characters and the dynamic of a family searchingfor a better life.”

“Within the last five years, we have made H Street our home – first at the HStreet Playhouse and now at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. We are pleased to finally have a permanent producing home and are excited about what our role willbe in this changing community. We will serve as a cultural bridge with our diverse programming embracing the residents of the H Street corridor and its rich history,” says Melvin D. Gerald, Jr. Managing Director.

Formerly the Georgetown Symphony, the Capital City Symphony is beaming with a new name, new energy and a new home at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. More than 55 talented and enthusiastic musicians, under the direction of Victoria Gau perform pieces by composers who were born in or who lived here in the DC area including composers who currently live here. The program will include works by Sousa, Anderson, PDQ Bach, Duke Ellington and contemporary composers such as Wang An-Ming, Charlie Barnett and Masaya Uchino.

The 4pm Concert will be preceded at 3:30 pm by an instrument petting zoo, where children can get close to, and sometimes even try out, the various instruments. A separate book just for kids will feature games, puzzles and interesting tidbits about the music and composers.

Tickets for the Family Concert are $16 in advance/$20 at the door for adults; $12 in advance/$16 at the door students and seniors.

As with all Capital City Symphony Concerts children 16 and younger are FREE with a paying adult.

Tickets for both events can be purchased by calling the Atlas box office 202.399.7993 or online at www.atlasarts.org

Charles Young Elementary

Located right next to the Langston Dwellings, Charles Young Elementary sits atop a hill overlooking Langston Golf Course and the PEPCO plant. Built in 1931, the school was renovated about ten years ago (1997). Read about the renovation here in pdf). Charles Young is home to the Wildcats (the marching band is featured in this recent Frozen Tropics posting).

Post: DC Public School Bucks Trend

Today's Washington Post has a story on a DC public school that has managed to use innovation to attract parent atttention and boost its enrollment. Strong John Thompson (the school in the story) is not the only DC public school doing well, but it can be easy for many of us to forget that when we mostly read about about problems at many of the institutions.

NYT: From Eyesore to Public Art

I actually wrote a post on this around 7:30am, but apparently it was eaten somehow. But the New York Times has a nice piece on decorating traffic signal boxes in Stamford. Rather than attempt to hide the boxes, which always seem to come in drab shades of brown, gray, dark green, and occasionally black, the artists paint them with interesting and eye catching images. In Stamford, the art movement originated when groups of neighbors, or a neighborhood association, commissioned (with city approval, of course) as artist to transform the eyesores into public art. In fact, the city even gave them a grant to help defray the cost. I think this is a great idea (they've actually been doing this for around 15 years near the river where I grew up). DC has its own version, with the difference being that it focuses on the old call boxes. Thanks to Rebuilding Place for the heads up.

Interstate Detailing

In the alley north of the 1300 block of H Street.

Roll Call: Area ANC Races

Roll Call reports on the roll of the web in some area ANC races (password required, or get ahold of today's print edition).

Carver Langston March in the AFRO

Read the story here. If you happen to have a copy of the November 11-17th issue you can read the front page story on the New Town proposal (Capital City Market), but it is no longer online.

Ward 6 Town Hall Meeting

Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty

Invites you to a Town Hall Meeting to talk about our future
Add your voice to the Fenty Transition
NEW DATE:

Wednesday, DECEMBER 13

Ward 6 Town Hall Meeting

6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N St., SW
Contact Person: Juan Jose Garza (202) 478-9214

Be Part of a Bright New Vision for a Brighter Future
www.fentytransition.org

Ward 5 Town Hall Meeting

Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty

Invites you to a Town Hall Meeting to talk about our future
Add your voice to the Fenty Transition

Introduction by Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.

Ward 5

Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center
Gymnasium
1200 Morse St., NE

Thursday, November 30th
6:30 pm

For more information please contact
Joshua Lopez at (202) 478-9268

Be Part of a Bright New Vision for a Brighter Future
www.fentytransition.org

Two Rivers Charter School Open House

Here's the announcement:

Two Rivers Public Charter School Open Houses
Visit Us!

November 30, 2006 - 1830 Constitution Avenue NE (look for the blue
doors and yellow Two Rivers sign)

January 30, 2007 - 4th & Florida NE, Two Rivers' new location!

February 16 & 26, 2007 - 4th & Florida NE

March 13 & 29, 2007 - 4th & Florida NE

9 to 10 am

Two Rivers Public Charter School is a small parent-supported school
with an interactive learning approach.
-Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound (http://www.elob.org)
-project-based, hands-on learning
-arts-based instruction
-integrated Spanish instruction
-preschool (for 3-year-olds) through 6th grade (8th grade by 2009)
-free and open to all DC residents
Learn more at http://www.tworiverspcs.org or call 202 546 4477.

Cap City Symphony Event @Atlas

Here's the announcement:
The Capital City Symphony's family concert will take place at the Atlas on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. The popular event features an instrument petting zoo for kids ahead of a concert that includes works by John Phillip Sousa and Charlie Barnett. Children under 16 free with a paying adult! Tickets for adults range from $12 to $20. Advance tickets available through the Atlas box office at 202-399-7993 or online at http://www.atlasarts.org

Come join the Capital City Symphony on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. for a *free* community carol sing. The event will take place at the orchestra's new home, the Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St. NE.

More information available at the CCS Web site:
http://www.capitalcitysymphony.org or the Atlas site: http://www.atlasarts.org

Rib Tip Update

I scoped it out a bit closer (easy to do since the paper is now down from the door and window). Three tables are visible (I think there are more, but an interior wall obscures the view), as is a counter, and a display case (for food). I also noticed a sign outfront advertising a position for a utility waitress. Apparently, the owner plans to serve breakfast beginning at 5:30am. The Rib Tip, which appears ready to open soon, is located on the corner of 12th & H Street.

WP: March Through Carver Langston

The Post offers this news brief on Saturday's march through the Carver Terrace and Langston Terrace eighborhoods. The march was organized in response to a recent spate of shootings that have claimed the lives of two, and injured others. The marching band from Charles Young Elementary led the march.

The Guardians

Four boys lean against a piece of public art in Langston Terrace (the dwellings) following Saturday's march through Carver Langston.

Atlas: Thank You

From the Atlas:

The staff and arts partners of the Atlas Performing Arts Center would like to thank everyone who was able to join us for last week’s grand opening celebration. After more than four years of planning, building, discussing, dreaming, worrying, and of course raising the money, everyone involved was able to sit back and breathe a sigh of relief. We took tremendous joy seeing and hearing the delighted reactions of so many of our friends, neighbors and supporters. We have been so touched by all your support and good will.

Thank you for supporting the Atlas. We hope you feel the same pride we do; that we have a truly special, world-class showcase for the arts right here on H Street.

If you missed the Homecoming events there will soon be many chances to visit the new Atlas! Our website was recently hacked so it’s not pretty but you can still purchase tickets there or at the box office 399-7993. Look for a snazzy new site soon!

Thanks,

Jen DeMayo

11^th and G NE And Communications Director for the Atlas

Pre-Certified Voting Results In

ANC/SMD Write In Candidate Total Votes
5B08 Elise Bernard 43
5B08 Lawrence B. Harris 20
5B08 Janice Wise-Diggs 4


I'll post other results soon, but thanks for everyone who turned out in my SMD (precinct 77). Whether you voted for me, someone else, or even abstained (voting for a piece of paper is hard, and that's basically what it came down to in this election), thanks for turning out to vote. I'm both honored and flattered. I hope that we can all look forward to a very active and functional ANC 5B. I will host monthly SMD (Single Member District 5B08) meetings and be available via email, or cell phone (I'll be updating the DCBOEE shortly on my number). I look forward to working with existing ANC Commissioners and with the new ones taking office. We have the ability to, like ANC 6A (even if we take a different direction), move our community forward and become a real powerhouse ANC. I have high hopes, and will work to fulfill them. Thanks again, Elise.

Other results available here for write ins. And here for pre-certified general results.

A Little Personal History on H Street & In Trinidad

I stumbled across this blog entry the other day. Written by a woman whose Greek family has lived in the DC area for around 100 years now, this particular entry talks briefly about her relatives that attended Wheatley Elementary (1200 of Neal Street), lived just north of H, and owned a candy store in the 1100 block of H Street.

Got Thanksgiving Plans?

Thanksgiving is a time when many of us gather with family or friends and sit back to enjoy our time together over a nice meal. Unfortunately, some youth held at the Youth Services Center (1000 Mt. Olivet Road -->immediately north of Trinidad) and at Oak Hill Youth Center won't have family coming to share Thanksgiving Dinner with them. So community members are being invited to serve as surrogate family members for these young people during the meal. If you or someone you know is interested in having lunch with a youth at Youth Services Center or Oak Hill Youth Center, please RSVP to our Volunteer and Program Coordinator, Nkenge Watkins, by Tuesday, November 21, 2006. She can be reached at (202) 576-8396 or nkenge.watkins@dc.gov.

WP: Theater Revival Boosts H Street

The Post has a nice story on the Atlas Theater and last weeks festivities there.

Rock & Roll Hotel in Daily Candy

The Daily Candy has listed a Rock & Hotel event on Saturday among its weekend picks. Details below (1st sentence of summary from Daily Candy):

Styleistics Showcase
What: A one-night shopping event featuring local designers, consignments from Marc Jacobs and Chanel, and the Brazilian Girls manning the turntables. DJ Ca$$idy and Mark Vader.
When: Sat., 7-10 p.m.
Where: Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE 202-388-7625
How Much: Free before 10pm, and $10 thereafter. 18 and over only.

Message From the Argonaut

The Argonaut has asks me to remind everyone that Thursdays are $2 PBR nights. Free foosball and darts upstairs in the lounge. They've also added new lighting outside the Argonaut. And don't forget that the patio is now open (heaters are on order).

Name That Block!

So I've got this unlabeled photo from the archives. I think I know where this is (and I can easily verify with a short walk...but...any takers?

Daavi's Closes Its Doors

Not super new news, but I don't recall mentioning it before. Daavi's, which served up West African food in the 1400 block of H Street, has closed its doors. Reportedly, the owner, who was previously identified with Adams Morgan's Ghana Cafe, decided to she wanted to stop renting and purchase her own space somewhere.

WP: Emergency Liquor License Bill

The Council approved emergency legislation (which means it automatically lapses after 90 days, unless action is taken to extend it) to allow businesses in commercial areas to obtain liquor licenses even if they are within 400 feet (prohibited under current law) of a school, college, or District of Columbia operated recreation center. I'm pretty sure the original law also mentions libraries, and I think we all know about the church rule. Right now the focus will probably be on Shaw's Vegetate, but this law will have implications throughout the District. Thanks to DCist for catching it.

WP: Shooting at 19th & M Street

Here's the Post story on yesterday's shooting. Highlights include (1) the news that police believe the shooting to be the result of a private dispute, not some kind of turf war, and (2) a quote from Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Kathy Henderson.

A Friendly Reminder

We're getting close to the holiday season and I know multiple people on Florida Avenue and Morse Street (right where Montello hits) who have been hit by burglars in the past couple of weeks. Please be extra careful to:
-lock your doors;
-lock your windows (check the upstairs ones, the intruders used an extension ladder in at least case);
-TURN ON BACK & PORCH LIGHTS (please do this, it doesn't cost that much and it is a deterrent);
-think about removing (it's getting cold now anyway, don't you want to save money?) any window A/C units in unbarred windows;
-lock-up (or better yet, put them in your basement/garage) and ladders. Leaving these lying around (even in your backyard) makes it a lot easier for someone to break in to your home, or your neighbor's home.

Other good things to think about:
-talk to your neighbors, and maybe let a couple know if you are out of town so they can keep an eye on your house
-the post office is pretty good about holding mail while your on vacation, but you do need to give them notice. (you should still have someone come by because phone books and flyers get delivered even when the mail doesn't.)
-you might want to put your lights/tv on a timer when you are out of town.
-if your window locks are crappy and you've got wood windows, you can make very good locks by drilling holes in the sides (angling down) of the frame and putting a nail in there (I actually prefer to use a nice big bolt with a snug enough fit that it won't fall out, but I can still easily remove it by hand when I need to open the window).

Shooting Near 19th & M Street Injures 4

This is a photo (from the archives) taken near the area (by which I mean the street) where the shooting occurred. I don't actually recall which block appears in this photo.

Around 11am this morning a white Honda Accord approached a group of youths in an alley and suspects in the car opened fire. At least 17 shell casings were recovered. All injuries were non-life threatening. Read the WTOP story. 19th and M is in the Carver Langston neighborhood (the shooting occurred immediately to the east of Trinidad, and to the south of the National Arboretum).

Here is information about a community meeting tomorrow night called in response to this shooting:

ATTENTION ALL NEIGHBORS!

TODAY SHOTS WERE FIRED ON THE CORNER OF 19TH & M STREETS, NE, WOUNDING FOUR PEOPLE. THE SHOOTER(S) DEMONSTRATED FLAGRANT DISREGARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PROPERTY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR SAFETY.

WE CANNOT ALLOW CRIMINALS TO TAKE OVER OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
ON

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15 2006, at 7:00 p.m.

WE WILL MEET WITH CAPTAIN MELVIN SCOTT OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT AND POLICE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS THE ACTION PLAN FOR RESTORING PEACE AND SAFETY TO OUR COMMUNITY. THE MEETING LOCATION IS THE YOUTH SERVICE CENTER, 1000 Mt. OLIVET ROAD, NE COMMUNITY ROOM

CRIMINALS CANNOT GET A FOOTHOLD IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THE CITIZENS HAVE A STRONGHOLD.

WE MUST STAND TOGETHER AGAINST CRIME AND CRIMINALS WHO BELIEVE THEY OWN OUR STREETS. NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE BACK OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BY MAKING IT CLEAR WE WILL NOT BE VICTIMIZED.

PLAN TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING!

CALL COMMISSIONER KATHY HENDERSON AT (202) 397-2777 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

Progress @the Rib Tip

I've noticed some activity at the Rib Tip (corner of 12th & H Street) in recent days. It looks like they are getting close on the inside (the newspaper was off the front door, and I think -I was on a bus one day- that they have replaced this window. At any rate, wouldn't it be nice to have another place on H Street where you can sit down and eat?

Outside Mason's

1100 block of H Street.

Examiner: Atlas Reopens

From today's Examiner.

WP: Youth Steers 92 Bus When Driver Flees

This happened in SE, but the 92 bus runs right down 8th Street and then turns left on Florida Ave as it head towards the Duke Ellington Bridge. Apparently two groups of youth on the bus began fighting and smashing the windows, prompting the driver to stop the bus, hit the silent alarm, and flee (non-fight passengers also fled the bus). After the driver left, one of the youths took her seat and drove the bus five blocks before being apprehended.

RP: Atlas Grand Opening

To follow up on my earlier (photoless) post on the Grand Opening of the Atlas, you should check out Richard's post on the same subject (he has photos of how the Atlas looks now).

Express: News From Northeast

The Washington Post's Express gave the area a little more attention today, giving a recap of developments in the area, as well as recent press coverage.

What's For Breakfast?

Slightly random, I know, but the sale of the Ohio (I don't know what the new owner has planned) has me thinking about diners. So when I stumbled (I've seen this before, but it struck me as appropriate today) across Victorian Secret's Lost Diners of DC while searching for info on the Uline Arena I couldn't resist posting it. What a shame these places are gone. But since they are (and since I think the Ohio is still probably shut down for mourning), I thought I'd make a few recommendations for places places in the 'hood where you can qwell the hunger for diner style eats.
If you get the craving you can always hit up Tony's Carryout (corner of 14th & H Street).



Tony's serves it up like a real greasy spoon, but the place is standing room only (and that's standing while you're waiting for your order).

On the other end of the neighborhood is the DC Farmer's Market (part of the Florida Market). I've seen some tasty looking breakfasts from there that could clog your arteries as surely as the chorizo/eggs/grits/toast spread pictured above. Of course, you could always grab your grub from one of the many carryouts spread around the rest of the Market (sorry, no review on those). Then there is my personal favorite...the New K. Young's, which mostly serves Korean and American food, but also offers a few Salvadorean items. The menu is good , and they've got plenty of seating.

VOH: Florida Market

Download the lastest issue of Voice of the Hill. They've got a piece on the Florida Market and the New Town proposal. My comments:
-if you read this blog regularly, you already know my stance on the development. I think this is a bad plan that would likely destroy a neighborhood asset. In my opinion, this plan seeks to put valuable resources (and your tax money) in the pocket of a powerful few while taking away from the not so affluent who shop at the market (and have for years), the small family owned businesses (some of families have been there for decades, while others are more recent immigrants who have set up shop), and the surrounding residents, and of course, we lose a lot of history if the market goes. This plan does not adequately address those issues. As originally drafted, it planned for a land grab pure and simple. I don't see the market as blighted. Go there any weekday and you'll see how busy it is. Smelling like meat or fish in certain areas does not constitute blight. Crime is declining in the area, not increasing.
-Thanks to Sharon Ambrose for objecting to the eminent domain language.
-If you haven't been to the market, GO! We're probably done with the market tour for the year, but we'll resume in spring. There's a lot to see and experience, and we'd be damn stupid if we sold it for for such a half-baked exploitive plan.

CP: Arena Football

SO, the City Paper seems to be having a little H Street/Trinidad/Near Northeast O'rama this week. Not only did we make it for our ghost signs, and the Florida Market, but we're also getting tapped for a story on the Uline Arena. Who knew we were that intersting..oh, wait.

CP: Loose Lips on the Florida Market

Loose Lips takes a look at the council dealings regarding the proposed legislation on the Florida Market. Worth a read.

The Party Bus Now Stops on H Street

The Post offers this piece on the Boomerang Nightlife Party Bus, that apparently now includes H Street on its rotating list of stops. The appeal?
1. Get to try new bars
2. Don't have to worry about a designated driver (or the lack of cab drivers)
I think a friend of mine recently saw this thing on H Street because he described walking out of certain bar (which shall remain nameless) and watching a bunch of what he described as "fratboy, Georgetown types" drunkenly disembark from a large bus.

For those who don't live in the area, smart enough not to drink and drive, but not so inclined towards the party bus, you can always use the Friday and Saturday night free shuttle from the Argonaut, Rock & Rock Hotel, Red & the Black, Palace of Wonders to the metro. The Going Out Gurus were promoting it again today.

The Case of the Vanishing Signs

I've gotten a report of some campaign signs belonging to ANC 5C05 (ANC5C website) candidate Alan Kimber mysteriously disappearing right before the election, but their plastic ties being left behind. Mr. Kimber swears that he put the signs out on the evening of November 6th only to find they had vanished before anyone lined up to vote. In the photo above, which I received via email, the two ties that previously secured a sign to the pictured post are highlighted in the purple circles added by the photographer. ANC 5C05 has had quite an interesting recent history. The election results (which do not yet include any absentee ballots that may have been received) were very close, but gave the victory to incumbent Anthony Rivera who currently faces a retrial on several federal charges related to money laundering. Robert Hall, the commissioner Mr. Rivera replaced after Mr. Hall had to resign when he moved out of the SMD (Single Member District) was recently found guilty on a number of fraud/money landering related charges, and plead guilty to some others (Mr. Rivera's legal troubles relate to his relationship with Mr. Hall). Earlier this year Mr. Rivera, representing himself (this is a trend, Mr. Hall represented himself in his first trip to court, which lead to convictions), sued Mr. Kimber for defamation.

CP: Sign Languish

This article and its accompanying photo show hits our region pretty heavily. The focus is on the ghostly signs of businesses past, and we've got lots of them.

Sidamo Coffee is Open!

Please excuse the old photo (I don't have my camera on hand this morning).

417 H Street
Open 7am-7pm 7 days a week
They are currently working off a temporary menu, but they'll have expanded options soon. It's a very cute place with indoor, and outdoor seating. Sidamo is a family owned Ethiopian coffee and tea house. They have free WiFi! All their coffees are free trade and organic.

Not Too Late to Catch The Bluest Eye

The Bluest Eye (Toni Morrison), having received very favorable reviews, has been extended until November 19th. See it at the H Street Playhouse (1365 H Street).

Here's Looking at Powell's

1200 block of H Street.

psa102blog: H Street Police Footbeat

From the listserv:
(After discussions during monthly PSA 102 meetings, MPD in February 2006 added a second evening footbeat to patrol H St NE, from 4th to 14th Streets NE. A one-officer day shift with Ofc. Williams happens Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. A two-officer evening shift with Officers Nguyen and Walsh happens Tuesday through Saturday from 2:30-11 p.m. MPD First District Commander Diane Groomes celebrated our recent PSA 102 success with this short write-up in the MPD staff newsletter.)

H STREET FOOTBEAT stomps out crime in FIRST DISTRICT

In late 2005, the H Street Corridor in Northeast, DC was suffering from a rash of robberies and also a source of many citizen complaints about the public disorder (drinking, drug sales). The PSA 102 team came up with a plan and ensured that there would be coverage via footbeat along the H Street Corridor. Due to this action crime and calls for service were reduced. Sergeant James Rogers reports that Officer Eric Walsh and Officer Phuson Nguyen volunteered to walk the beat during the evening tour. This dynamic duo made a dent in crime immediately. During the past ten months, these two officers have made over 180 arrests along the corridor. Majority of the arrests are quality of life but they also include two subjects wanted for homicide, three robberies and several drug arrests. Officer Albert Williams handles this corridor during the daywork tour of duty and has personally made over 56 arrests. It has been to their dedication to duty that crime and disorder have been dramatically reduced along this business corridor. THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

For a photo of Walsh and Nguyen click here.

Coming Home to the Atlas

I just came from a grand opening event at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street), which looks amazing. The contrast between what I saw a few months ago when I went inside (see the bottom of the sidebar for my photo set from that excursion) and what I saw tonight was truly jarring. The place looks terrific. They are still adding final touches, but these are things like door hardware, and lighting changes. At any rate, the Atlas is truly something we, in the neighborhood, can all be very proud of, and it is also clearly a destination for people from all over DC (and the suburbs). I can't speak speak highly enough of the final product. You'll have to see it for yourselves. Luckily, you've got the chance, as the Atlas is hosting two community events on Sunday (details below in the words of the Atlas). Go, it's amazing!
From the Atlas:

The Atlas Performing Arts Center begins a five day Grand Opening Celebration tonight! For four nights the Atlas will host identical events to thank the many donors, arts partners, community members and artisans who helped bring the Atlas back to life.

The centerpiece of each evening is a production of Coming Home, a play with music by David Emerson Toney. The play tells a story of H Street throughout the 20th Century. Mr. Toney listened to the memories of many current and former H Street residents to craft a fictional story of the many different ethnic groups who once called H Street home.

Sunday November 12th will be a Homecoming Day for the H Street Community. There will be two free performances of Coming Home that afternoon, at 2pm and 5pm. One hour before each performance will be a pre-show reception with an array a treats available as well as
performances by DC's Finest the Doo Wop Cops and RythmiX, a children's hip-hop troupe from Joy of Motion at the Atlas.

The Homecoming Day events are free and seats can be reserved by calling the Atlas Box Office at 399-7993!

Everyone involved with the Atlas renovation is very excited to welcome the H Street community back to the Atlas!

VOH Highlights

-An updated version of the story on Betty Ayele, a member of the family that owns and runs the Ohio Restaurant (1380 H Street) who was tragically shot in Alexandia a few weeks ago.

-News on R&B Coffee (1359 H Street), which will reopen early next year under new ownership and the new name of Sova Wine and Espresso.

-News on some newly elected leadership in Ward 6 & on the School Board.

-More on a DHCD affordable housing project in Rosedale.

Election Results

Get them here (note that this is a pdf), but if you're looking for the results of write-in campaigns, all you'll find here are the total number (and percentage) of write-ins, not a breakdown by name.

Breaking News: Rivera Re-Elected!

Current ANC Commissioner Anthony Rivera has (miraculously) been narrowly re-elected to office. He won with 205 votes (49.64% of the total votes, he very narrowly defeated challenger Alan Kimber). Commissioner Rivera currently faces a new trial (the last one ended in a hung jury) on multiple federal charges related to money laundering. Look for the new trial to start before too long (the Feds don't like to delay on this kind of thing). I think I smell a recount.

VOTE!

I hope you all did. I didn't posting anything earlier today because I spent the entire day at the polls and in class. My voting precinct is 77 (Delta Towers at 15th and Florida Ave) and I can say that we were (predictably) below the turnout from the September 12th primary. I think we probably finished with around 700-750 votes. I don't know the total number of registered voters for precinct 77, but the turnout seems fairly decent, but the polls never got crowded at all. No lines, or anything. How did voting go for you?

More on Betty Ayele

Here's a link to more info on (and a picture of Betty) from Nazret.com.

Here's a Voice of the Hill article on the topic.

Here's something from the Alexandria Times.

WUSA9 (with video report).

WRC-TV (via MSNBC).

CP: Ohio Update

The City Paper has a (relatively new) update on the Ohio. As reported, the Ohio has been keeping irregular hours since Betty was killed. Flowers continued to decorate the door of the Ohio when I walked by it this morning.

WT: Betty Ayele

The Washington Times has this article giving more insight into the extent of Ms. Ayele's activities as a witness and as an informant for the FBI.

WP: Possible School Takeover Prompts Worry

Here's the Post story on reaction to Adrian Fenty's plans to take control of DCPS out of the hands of the School Board. The group Save Our Schools is, predictably upset, and has urged voters to write in (as a protest vote) deceased reformer Julius Hobson on their ballots (and to doctor their Fenty campaign signs to condemn the proposed takeover.

Franklin Carry-Out & Grocery

Near Northeast.

WP: High Energy Campaigns in Ward 6

The Post has a story on the Will Cobb
Tommmy Wells
Tony Williams

H Street & Going Out Gurus

Check out this weeks Going Out Gurus (Washington Post) Got Plans online chat. Mentions of local spots:
-Rock and Roll Hotel
-Stella Bleu
-H Street Playhouse
-Ohio Restaurant

Atlas Featured in Washingtonian

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm told that the November issue of Washingtonian features a (brief) story on the Atlas called "In Northeast DC, A Dream Realized." No luck in finding it online, but it apparently appears on page 31 of the print edition.

WP: Fenty Refines School Takeover Plans

The Post reports that Adrian Fenty plans to deliver his school plan to the Council before he takes office in January. Mentioned in the article are Tommy Wells (current Board of Education member and Ward 6 candidate for the Council), Stuart-Hobson Middle School (on Capitol Hill), and Gina Arlotto (Hill resident and co-founder of Save Our Schools, recently in the news for the Two Rivers Charter School lawsuit).
Also see this Post story on resident reaction to a possible school takeover.

RP: Relating to the Florida Market

Rebuilding Place has some generalized thoughts on market districts like the Florida Market. One of Richard's concerns is that if you were to introduce housing into the Florida Market (which is zoned entirely commercial/light industrial, NOT residential) that you get an automatic anti-noise/smell lobby that can ultimately drive many of the market businesses out. Personally, I'm not sure I think that introducing housing to the market would necessarily be the first sign of the apocalypse (I think there are examples of this type of business co-existing with housing). But I get Richard's point. There are, after all, plenty of cases where homes have sprouted up next to existing industry, and the industry suddenly (with the demise of the "coming to the nuisance" defense) finds itself labeled a nuisance that's got to go. If I had the cash (and appropriate zoning), I'd probably love to live in an area like that (of course, I say this without having actually awakened to the the grind of trucks & strong odor of fish in the wee hours). So housing in a place like this is definitely for a niche market, and then what happens when people begin to move in who like the gritty look, but not the reality that goes with it? Like I said, all academic, since the zoning isn't there, but something to think about anyway.

While you're considering the matter, I'll refer you back to the example (for a vision of a dying market district) to the Meatpacking District in NYC. Incidentally, one of the friends I took to the Market last Saturday is a former New Yorker who, being a cooking nut, used to frequent the Meatpacking District back when it really funtioned as one (these days it's got plenty of restaurants & trendy clubs, but the meatpacking businesses are mostly either gone, or going).