Taking a Deep Breath Before the Smoking Ban

Don't forget it takes effect on Tuesday. Expect to see clearer air in the bars and more people standing just outside the doorway from now on when you go out. Here's an 11th hour Post article on the topic.

WP: DC Fails to Track HIV & AIDS Cases

The Post features this disheartening article about the District's failure to accurately track HIV and AIDS cases. You might recall another recent post article on a demonstration project (a collaborative effort from several DC non-profits) to distribute condoms after the District encountered issues with the ordering (they reportedly ordered condoms with nonoxynol 9, which is now considered to increase the risk of HIV transmission) and plans for distributing the condoms. Hopefully the demonstration project can serve as a good model for future District condom distribution efforts.

UBU Dance Party @Red & the Black

A monthly event at the Red & the Black.

WP: 4 Injured in Drive-By on Trinidad Ave

Rowhouses in the Trinidad neighborhood
The Post reports on a drive-by shooting that occurred late last night in the 1600 block of Trinidad Avenue. Four young men (late teens and early twenties) were injured, but there no fatalities.

GoG: Bars, Clubs, Cocktails & Hype

The Post's Going out Guru's look back at 2006's nightlife scene, and give credit where credit is due. The breakdown (though you want to see the full write-up here):
H Street took home awards in 4 of the 11 categories (2 of the categories H Street didn't get were dubious awards for things like "weirdest theme bar (NOT in a cool way)"). A fifth award is associated with H Street right now in that the DJ (Jessie Tittsworth, winner of the Favorite Local DJ award) is spinning at the Rock & Roll Hotel on New Year's Eve. Here are the other results:

In the category of 6 New Venues Worth Visiting
-Rock & Roll Hotel (one of 6 winners in this category)

For Weirdest Theme Bar (in a COOL way)
-Palace of Wonders

For generating the Most Pre-Opening Hype
-H Street NE (beating out Fly, which was featured in both Vibe & Details & has notoriously long lines)

Biggest Myth About DC Nightlife
-"H Street Isn't Safe" (the Gurus then proceed to spill the numbers)

The response from the DCeiver?

WP: Hello H Street

The Post's Fritz Hahn is at it again. He's talking about shifts in DC's entertainment and night life scene, and he's clearly got high hopes for H Street.

Horace & Dickie's on Travel Channel

Travel Channel's Taste of America recently aired an episode featuring Horace & Dickie's (12th Street, immediately north of H). The episode will re-air January 8th at 12pm.
Thanks to Monkey Erotica for the heads up.

NY Sun: Trolleys Return to DC

The New York Sun featured this article on the light rail lines that will soon run down H Street and through Anacostia.

Making Breakfast

Young's (now the New K. Young's) serves up Korean, American, and Salvadorean food in the Capital City Market (Florida Market).

Slightly Off Topic

Here's a story about Rochester (NY) & the role of the deaf community there. I found it interesting, and I thought it might be of interest here when considering the level of interplay between the Gallaudet community and the rest of the neighborhood.

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

A few local options:


Palace of Wonders -1210 H Street
*not clear what's happening yet, but they're rumored to be open & without a cover charge.


Red & the Black -1212 H Street
Event: New Year' Eve in the French Quarter
Featuring: Shannon Stewart
Doors open: 9pm
Extra attraction: Boasts plenty of hats & beads for all. Party goes until 4am. Your first drink is free if you wear a mardi gras mask. Discounted drinks for all from 9-10pm. Champagne toast at midnight. Free red beans & rice all night.
end at 4pm 12/31)


H Street Martini Lounge -1236 H Street
Charge: no cover (complimentary champagne toast)
Featuring: guest dj
Doors open: 9pm


Rock & Roll Hotel -1353 H Street
Event: New Year's Bash: The Beginning of Forever(presented by Garutachi)
*21+ only on New Years Eve (due to the open bar)
Charge:
-$30 general admission (cash bar)
-$50 Party Pass (open bar rail drinks & selected beer until 1am)
-$80 VIP Admission (open bar on top shelf goods until 2:30am)
Featuring:
-James F***** Friedman's (Defend/Throne of Blood, NYC)
-Dj Ris Richards (formerly of Q & Not U)
-Dj Cassidy (Tease,Pink,Garutachi DC)
-Dj Tittsworth (T&A, Money Studies, Tittsworth.com , Ammo)
-Dj Stereofaith ( www.stereofaith.com Sorted-DC, Lit-NYC)
-Dj Cale (Noise Academy)
-Dj IQ (Richmond)
Doors open: 8pm (show starts at 9pm)
*buy tickets online, or at the box office
Extra attraction: Champange toast at midnight (with hors d'oeuvres) Party favors! A second dj booth upstairs installed especially for the event.


Argonaut -1433 H Street
Event: a neighborhood New Year's
Charge: No Cover (complimentary toast at midnight)
Featuring: a dj downstairs (upstairs will also be open) & the Argonaut crew.

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UPDATED
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see the new info for Rock & Rock Hotel, the Argonaut, and the Red & the Black (above)

Get Your White Christmas Here

New ANC 6C05 Blogsite

Alan Kimber has launched a new blogsite directed towards members of his single member district (but it would also be useful for those living nearby his SMD). Like Frozen Tropics, this blog will allow you to subscribe to the feed, email posts, and post comments (so it makes a nice forum for you to discuss issues relating to the area).

Got Plans on H Street?

H Street really held its own in yesterday's Going Out Gurus chat. There were several nice mentions that you can check it out here.

WTOP: Noisy Preachers @8th & H

WTOP reports on the ongoing saga of the amplified Israeli School of Universal Practical Knowledge ("ISUPK") that sets up shop on the corner of 8th & H each Saturday. Very appropriately for this story, WTOP not only has a story you can read, but also a couple of audio files you can check out. Kudos to Quest for Quiet on this one.

Examiner: Gallaudet to Punish Protestors

Read the recent story here.

New Town Signed By All 12 Council Members

The New Town proposal (to replace the Florida Avenue Market) went before the Council again yesterday (not the last time) & it doesn't appear to be going away. One provision that could make or break the bill is a recently (last time arount) inserted provision from David Catania that requires approval from owners of at least 50% of the land (as opposed to 50% of the landowners) within 120 days after the passage of the emergency legislation. Check out this great Washington Post article on the lingering problems with the proposal and the way it came about.

Recent Market News Round-Up (not links previously posted here):
1. In Shaw: Where the Fk is Litteri's?
2. Rebuilding Place: The Real Issue With The Florida Market (Revised)
3. Rebuilding Place: The Florida Market Bill Before City Council
4. Rebuilding Place: Not the Last Word on the Florida Market
5. Rebuilding Place: Back and Forth Conversation About the Florida Market
6. Blue Coyote Laughing: Politics Photography and Art and... (Click around to find more of her photos of the Market. She shoots there a lot.)

And not new, but very infomative is this DC North piece "Is New Town the End of the Florida Ave. Market?: Market Unlikely to Survive Proposal Say Vendors" (also appeared in the Hill Rag) from last summer.

*********************************
This post previously said something about 50% of merchants. Sorry, I must have already lapsed into vacation mode. I've made the correction above. Apologies, because the two are really not the same. Merchants will have no voice under this provision unless they happen to also be landowners.

Next Time You Plant a Tree...

...consider the climate change. Apparently it's significant enough that our hardiness zone has been reclassified by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The reclassification indicates that DC is now appropriate for some more traditionally southern trees.

QFQ: Fenty Says He Would Sign Noise Fix

David Klavitter (Quest for Quiet) & his neighbors near 8th & H may soon be able to enjoy their weekends more. Our mayor-to-be recently attended an ANC 6A meeting where he expressed a willingness to sign (and enforce) a bill that would close the loophole in noise regs that currently allows the weekend amplified speech at the busy intersection of 8th & H Street. Read David's reaction here.

New Additions to the Neighborhood

1. The Rib Tip (1128 H Street, 202-388-0441) is open, but only for breakfast. They've still got about 80k in restaurant supplies to order, and the breakfast thing is a way of gauging demand. Hours are 5:30am-11:00am. Breakfast is sit down, or carryout (carryout entrance is on the side). If you elect to sit down they've got full table service (and I think around 6 tables). Breakfast covers all your basics: coffee, oj, apple juice, bacon, bologna, ham, sausage, scrapple, smoke sausage, turkey bacon, turkey sausage, eggs, pancakes, apple sauce, grits & homefries. The full breakfast special ranges from $4-4.75, and cheaper items like pancakes and sandwiches start at $2.50. Fair warning for the allergic, they cook with peanut oil. Looks like a cute place for breakfast.

2. E&R Catering & Carryout (on 13th Street just north of H). I just noticed this one on Saturday & I haven't snagged a menu or a peak inside yet. Apparently they sell soulfood.

3. Art lessons. Sorry that I've got no name on this one, but here's what I know: the is a new artist/gallery space upstairs at 417 H Street. Above Sidamo (or at least that's where I think those stairs lead). I didn't read the entire flyer, but apparently you can take art classes from the guy (I think he had three types listed, and I recall that one was oil painting). So the next time you stop by Sidamo, take a look at the class list posted on the door right next to Sidamo's entrance.

Have You Been to Sidamo?

If you haven't tried H Street's newest (and currently only, since the one at 1359 has temporarly shut down after changing ownership) coffee and tea shop yet, you should. Sidamo offers a variety of espresso drinks as well as their own organic, fair trade, shade grown (prized my many for its superior flavor) coffee. Not a coffee drinker? Sidamo offers more than twenty varieties of loose and bag teas. They even have a loose tea called tutti frutti that's sure to appeal to the younger set. Sidamo serves its teas in individual pots the rest above tea candles so your brew stays warm longer. Bottles ice tea, water, juices, and milk (both regular and chocolate) are available. To eat Sidamo offers pastries and muffins from Uptown Bakery, cakes from Clement's, and yogurt. Soon (hopefully next week) they will also have sandwiches and bagels. The owner was sampling different cream cheese brands when I stopped in Thursday morning. That kind attention to detail is apparent throughout Sidamo. Unlike at many coffee houses, everything (except prepackaged beverages and to-go items) are served with glassware. The floor, though not orignal to the building, is about 85 years old, and was rescued from another building. The owner, Kenfe Bellay, says he likes the idea of recycling materials whenever he can. The chestnut counter behind which Mr. Bellay stands is the reincarnation of old doors.

The chalkboard pictured above now displays the menu
Asked why he chose H Street the owner replies that he looked at threee different neighborhoods, H Street, Takoma Park, and Silver Spring. But somehow H Street, because of the changes he's seen in the neighborhood (he's been watching us for a while, he previously tried to lease space in a building in the 300 block of H Street), and because of its proximaty to Capitol Hill. He says he looks at H Street and sees a nice chance for his shop and the community to grow together. Bringing people together is one of Mr. Bellay's hopes for Sidamo. Every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm Sidamo hosts an Ethiopian coffee ceremony where groups of people come together and talk over coffee. He hopes to hold these events three times a week once he gets more settled.

Sidamo offers free wifi. There plenty of space to sit outside at the three tables located out back. There is even lighting out there to facilitate evening gatherings.
Starting sometime soon Sidamo will offer bags of their own freshly roasted coffee beans for sale at the counter.

Sidamo Coffee and Tea
417 H Street
7am-7pm 7 days a week


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As promised, here is a repost with the photos I couldn't access before.

Foggy Morning

Not from today (finals predominate), but an appropriately foggy shot of H Street from earlier this year. 1200 block.

Sing Along @the Atlas

Second Annual Community Carol Sing this Sunday at the Atlas

Holiday Event to benefit local non-profit

(Washington, DC) - The Capital City Symphony, together with the Congressional Chorus, Capitol Community News and the Atlas Performing Arts Center, present the second annual FREE Community Carol Sing, Sunday December 12 at 5pm. Both groups will perform three songs followed by a Christmas Carol Sing-Along with the audience which will include kids’ favorites. The event will conclude with a rousing rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Bring your score or borrow one of ours!

Refreshments will follow the performance in the Great Hall.

The Event is FREE to all! Guests are encouraged to bring a donation of a Safeway Gift Card. The Atlas is using this opportunity to assist the less fortunate in our community. The Safeway Gift Cards collected at the concert will be distributed by the Capital Hill Group Ministry to the local families they serve. As an added incentive the Safeway Corporation has offered additional support.

Many thanks to Jonathan G. Willen and Associates and the H Street Fresh Farm Market for providing the after-show treats!

To reserve seats call the Atlas box office, 202.399.7993. Please arrive one half hour before the performance to claim your tickets. Unclaimed tickets will be released 15 minutes before the performance.

The Atlas Performing Arts Center is located at 1333 H Street NE. Street Parking
is available.

Flashback: Market

Here's an old article from 2005 referencing the Office of Planning study I sometimes refer to when I say we should be doing more sensitive development.

RP: More on the Florida Market

Richard's got another post on the topic, and this one has renderings from the new version of the New Town brochure.

Examiner: Florida Market

Yesterday's examiner featured this article on the Florida Market/Capital City Market and the New Town proposal that the City Council recently moved forward. It specifically mentions the little provision David Catania stuck in there during the the last meeting. The provision requires 50% of the land owners to sign onto the measure, or it dies. If 50% seems high, and it might turn out to be too high for the developer in this case, consider that a proposal like this would permanently alter the landscape of the area, and that this proposal contains eminent domain language that could facilitate the forcefull taking of people's land.

H Street's Annual Holiday Celebration

H Street Main Street, inc. cordially invites all H Street business owners, employees & patrons to attend H Street’s annual holiday celebration
Tuesday, December 12, 2006, 6-8 p.m.

H Street Martini Lounge
1236 H Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002

Join your neighbors and enjoy cocktails, music, refreshments & cheer & awards to outstanding H Street businesses & patrons.

Please rsvp to 202-543-0161 or info@hstreet.org
We hope to see you there!

ADW in 1300 Block of H Street?

I've received a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in a bar/nightclub in the 1300 block of H Street. Reportedly the suspect attempted to steal a coat, but the victim approached and challenged the suspect about the coat. The victim asked the suspect to leave. The suspect then spit in the victim's face twice and the supect then bit the victim about the calf and inner thigh while being escorted out. I'm guessing the deadly weapon in this case would be the suspect's teeth (the police report's use pretty loose definitions of deadly weapons). No word on precisely where this occurred.

Crossing

700 block of H Street.

WP: Gallaudet Gets New Interim President

The University has chosen a new leader (if only temporarily), a nationally known deaf figure. , The Board, the faculty, and the students have all reportedly expressed approval of the choice. Robert Davila, the man to head the school, comes from an interesting background, and was once an assistant secretary at the US Department of Education.

Examiner: Florida Market

Two pieces from Friday's Examiner on the Florida Market (Capital City Market):

1. There's a Stench From Florida Avenue Market

2. History, Future of Capital City Market at a Crossroads

RP: Florida Market Redux

Richard takes another look at the New Town issue and muses generally about groups from outside coming into remake an area. He mentions H Street, and the fact that many of the new places generating the most press are associated with Joe Englert in one way or another. Richard is in no way comparing the revitalization on H Street, which I think is far more organic, to the New Town plan. Just for the hell of it, let's compare the two:

What was there before (or what is there now in the Florida Market)?
H Street: some existing and new businesses, some construction, and lots of vacant building (I believe the Argonaut was the only Englert place to move into an occupied building).
Florida Market: lots of thriving, if sometimes "gritty," family owned businesses that cater to both wholesale and retail buyers. Vacant spaces are rare.

How did/will the outside buyer obtain the properties?
H Street: Mr. Englert & his associates purchased the buildings one by one like any other buyer. No existing businesses were forced out.
Florida Market: The New Town proponents own some of the land, but would need the city to give them lots of land, and also seek to force existing businesses out (they even requested eminent domain power to do so, and you know my feelings about bogusness of the right to return stuff here).

How did/will the outside buyer attempt to work with the existing businesses/neighborhood?
H Street: By talking to surrounding businesses, and residents. Also, hiring some neighborhood residents to work in the establishments. Renovating vacant buildings to house the new businesses.
Florida Market: By trying to force out the existing businesses (even if they are given the option to move to the new digs the rents will undoubtedly be much higher because this is new construction). By avoiding talking to residents in the areas most affected by the change. Who cares what existing residents or business owners think as long as you've got the cash and the Counsel votes, right?

What will the area look like once the plan is "complete"?
H Street: The new businesses will be open, they'll generate a little buzz and hopefully attract more businesses and patrons to the area.
Florida Market: The uniqueness of the area will be gone (we'll pretty much be bulldozing much of the area), and some vendors might return. We might have a hotel, probably a bowling alley, maybe an outdoor arena, probably some kind of community center, and also some housing, about 20% of which will be "affordable."

Sun & Moon Building For Sale

The Sun & Moon on a foggy morning
The Sun & Moon building, located at 1387 H Street, is on the market. List price? $899,900. The ad says the building was constructed in 1943, but I'm pretty sure it dates from earlier than that.

The Ohio Will Not Reopen

The City Paper reports that the restaurant and building, which have not sold yet, are on the market. The family is walking away from the business, so if the Ohio ever does reopen, it will have to be under new management. Let's hope for a fast sale. The Ohio is located at 1380 H Street.

Fire @Black Super Market Guts Store

Pre-fire shot of the building.
Fire Damage to the upper floors was not visible through windows, though I'm sure there will be significant damage to the floor of the 2nd floor unit because the ceiling of the store appeared to be destroyed. The fire started around 4am when no one was in the building. The shop was completely destroyed. The fire burned appears to have burned most intensely near the east facing window with signifigant damage also visible on the southern wall. The cause of the fire is not yet known. No one was was harmed in the fire. A crew is working on boarding up the windows and plans to move into the basement with flashlights to look at the electrical situation. The store's owner, who is also the owner of the building, said he was insured, but he had lost many personal items in the fire. He has worked at the store for decades and he used to display some photos there, including a shot of President Clinton visiting Union Station, and an old (circa 1910) photo of a previous store located in the same space. The owner, Walter, had just finished a renovation of the building earlier this year. The Black Super Market is located at the corner of 13th & Florida.

A pre-fire shot of the window where the fire burned most intensely.

Tehreem Mitha Dance Company @Atlas

Tehreema Mitha Dance Company presents an evening of Traditional Pakistani and Contemporary Dance at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street).

Tehreema Mitha Dance Company, a pioneer in the field of innovative Classical and Contemporary Indian dance and music, presents three shows at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on the 9th and 10th of December 2006. The performance will include the world premiere of IGNITINGS (Atish Angaiz), a Classical/Contemporary piece.
Tickets to the performances are $20-$25 and can be purchased by calling the Atlas box office at 202-399-7993 or online at www.atlasarts.org.

Performance times are 2pm and 8pm on Saturday December 9th and 2pm on Sunday December 10th.

TMDC performs both traditional Indian and contemporary dances. The company’s founder and choreographer Tereema Mitha left Pakistan in 1998 to seek more artistic freedom. Her approach is often radical in movement and thematic material and always theatrical. She composes and produces all the accompanying music, which is meticulously set to each movement so that they both flow together seamlessly.

This company presents its three distinct styles in the full evening shows. Starting with two Classical Area Premieres with unusual music scores, they move onto the Classical/Contemporary items with a World Premiere, “Igniting…”. This is a fiery dance, energetic, fast paced and passionate. Set to 21 beats it sets Classical technique in a modern format.

The three Contemporary dances include one based on the mathematical theory of Chaos with music played on sitar and violin. Music lovers will also enjoy the original tabla and saxophone duet, part of another dance based on a famous short story that deals with the intimate side of a woman’s life.

Tehreema Mitha Dance Company is committed to the production of dance and music that reflects and encourages the diversity of a multicultural society, retaining an Indian sub continental flavor. More information can be found at www.tehreemamitha-dancecompany.org/

Don't forget that H Street Neighbors receive a 10% discount tickets for the rest of the year! Simply tell the box office or put in the code HST10 if you are making a purchase online.

The performance is on the Washington Blade's Best Bets list. Here is a review form Dance Magazine of a show the group performed at Joy of Motion last spring.

Palace of Wonders in Going Out Gurus

The bar, which is located at 1210 H Street, merited a few mentions in today's chat. Palace is holding a crafts show this Sunday from 7-11pm.

Local Write-Up of Concert @Atlas

Check out this impressive post from a neighborhood resident on the Atlas and a recent Capital City Symphony concert that took place there.

Recount Results: Kimber Victorious

The results of the recount in a contested ANC race are in and Alan Kimber has defeated incumbant Anthony Rivera 213 to 198 (so Kimber actually picked up 13 votes in the recount).

Twelve Restaurant & Lounge?

I saw a mention of this place in the ANC6A agenda package (a note about a stipulation regarding rooftop noise). 1125 H Street NE. Anyone know anything about this?

Argonaut Adds 7(!) TVs

Here's a message from the neighborhood tavern (1433 H Street):
Just wanted to let everyone know the Argonaut has just added 7 TV’s. We added Two TV’s downstairs in the dinning room and five TV’s upstairs. If you have a group that would like to come in to watch a certain event or program, we have a TV for you. Don’t forget that if you would like to have a holiday party our upstairs is available. Thursday nights upstairs, $2 dollar PBR and free darts and foosball!!!
Thanks,

Scott Magnuson
Managing partner
Argonaut Tavern

Rib Tip Open?

I noticed the lights were on, but the place looked empty when I peered in earlier tonight. I saw several tables, each with a menu standing in the center of the table. The Rib Tip is located on the corner of 12th & Florida. Has anyone been?

Blighted?

Fresh produce for sale at the DC Farmers Market (Florida Market/Capital City Market). The market, which legislation recently given preliminary approval by the Council, calls blighted, offers afffordable produce to a segment of DC's population who can well use the inexpensive prices available in this wholesale food distict.

DCist: Capital City Market Revamp?

Check out the reader reaction to the news here. DCist has promised to keep its readers (who are apparently not so down with the Orange/Choi/Ray plan) up to date on the issue.

DCist: Rock & Roll Hotel Show

DCist has this write-up of a recent show at the Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H Street). And here's a recent mention of the Red & the Black. H Street places are getting so many of these now, that I can't keep up (and I'm not even counting the theater reviews, or the recent stories on the Capital City Symphony).

A Change in Plans for 1015 H Street

The first floor of the building a crew is constructing at 1015 H Street is now going to house a sit-down restaurant serving American food with a French twist. Earlier reports had labeled the first floor space as a catering business that might morph into a sit-down restaurant when the time was right. The upper two floors will be condos.

Uline Arena ABC 7 News Video

Check out this ABC 7 News story on the Uline Arena. It features an interview with Richard Layman of the Rebuilding Place blog.

Meat

At the Florida Market (Capital City Market).

WP: Plans Advance for Florida Market

The DC Council gave preliminary approval yesterday to the New Town plan calling for the bulldozing and remaking of the Florida Market (also called the Capital City Market & the Union Market). The plan, which many have criticized as ill conceived and a favor to special interests, refers to the market area as blighted (an earlier version of the plan requested eminent domain power). Many current merchants oppose the plan and fear, despite promises that they will have a right of return, that this many be the end for their businesses in the market area. The thing about the right of return is that many of these are small family owned businesses, and the expense and ordeal of moving to a new location (likely one outside of the District), and then being given the opportunity to pack up and move back a few years later probably means that many of the business owners either could not afford to return, or would not choose to do so at that point. In my opinion, it almost amounts to a defacto eviction. Recently a meeting was held in our ANC regarding the New Town plan. This is actually quite rare, because, although the boosters have held many meetings in ANC 5C, and other areas, they have largely avoided holding meetings in ANC 5B (which actually contains the Florida Market). The meeting, which was held about a month ago, was a "public meeting," yet it was not advertised by flyer, mailing, or on any area listservs (at least I didn't get any flyer or mailing, and no one I know received one). The organizers also did not inform ANC commissioners (including the one in whose SMD the Market resides). The boosters of this project claim to have ANC support, but this is not exactly true. Though some ANC commissioners did testify in favor of the project, they don't all live close to it (Kathy Henderson, a commissioner who is in 5B testified in favor of the project). Wilhelmina Lawson, the commissioner for the Market's SMD testified against the project. People need to be informed about this project, and that means more than just watching a slick presentation by an even slicker lobbyist. It also means actually going to the market, which is always busy, and seeing what really goes on there.

PSA 102 Meeting Dec 12

Commander Groomes scheduled for Dec. 12 PSA 102 Meeting

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QUICK QUESTION: In which Police Service Area (PSA) do I reside?

ANSWER: The PSA 102 boundaries are (clockwise) the railroad tracks at Union Station, Florida Ave NE, Maryland Ave NE, 9th St, East Capitol St, 2nd St, Massachusetts Ave, and Columbus Circle. See the MPD website and map to determine your PSA.
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WHAT: Police Service Area (PSA) 102 monthly meeting
WHEN: Dec. 12 (2nd Tuesday of each month)
TIME: 7-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th St NE

AGENDA:

* Review November crime statistics

* Review follow-up items from last meeting:
-- Any progress in solving Betty's murder (owned Ohio restaurant)?
-- How has the camera at H & 8th Street NE impacted crime?
-- Noise at H Street establishments (Phish Tea incident)?

* MPD First District Commander Diane Groomes will participate in the December meeting to talk about the Holiday detail, crime patterns during last year’s holiday and what the police are doing this year. Also, in accordance with the wishes of the Chief-Designee Cathy Lanier, Commander Groomes wants to know what “community policing” means to citizens and discuss “out-of-the-box” ideas that can help MPD improve.

**** 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! ****

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PSA 102, photos, crime maps and more go to http://psa102.blogspot.com.

QUESTIONS can be answered by PSA 102 Citizen Coordinators:
David Klavitter: 202-547-5745 (klav@questforquiet.org)
Or
Marc Lesnick: 202-543-3736 (marc_lesnick@yahoo.com)
Alphonso C. Coles, MPD Community Outreach Coordinator: 202-497-5033
alphonso.coles@dc.gov

Vendors, Music & Green Buildings

What's the connection? They all may featuring more prominently in our daily lives in the DC.
Metro is cautiously looking at allowing some musicians, actors, and mimes to perform outside some metro stations during certain hours of the day. DC is also planning to allow more street vendors in the city. Many are hopeful that this could lead to a diversification in food items available from those little carts. And DC continues to move closer to mandating green construction for some buildings. I'd say that all of these are positive trends (even if I think they may be being a little to conservative with the Metro performances).

Pantry Items @Florida Market

Not all Items for sale at the DC Farmers Market come from farmers. Vendors there sell hats, cds, socks, and other food items as well.

DC Farmers Market
1309 5th St., NE
Washington, DC
Contact: Lew McKinney
(202) 547-3142
YEAR-ROUND
Tuesday, 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

HSMS Launches New Website

Check out the new H Street Main Street website.

WP: Grass-Roots Condom Distribution

The Post offers this story on a coalition effort by several non-profits in DC to distribute condoms. The distribution program, which will run for two months in Wards 7 and 8, is intended as a demonstration program for the District government. Though this story is not specifically about H Street, or Trinidad, I think it has citywide implications for DC considering our very high HIV infection rate. Here's the website for the program (Life Guard).

Rabbi Payless

Buying meat at the DC Farmers Market (Florida Market). I think it may be the bacon sign that seals it for me.

WP: Raisin in the Sun @the Atlas

The Post has a nice interview with the artistic director of the African Continuum Theater Company in which she discusses the company's latest production, A Raisin in the Sun.