Fire in the Florida Market?

@frozentropics @totville @nbcwashington just drove by.Lots of smoke, right to the west of union market
— BRA (@BRAatDC) November 1, 2012

Fla Ave fire: hitting it from above with water from ladder truck twitter.com/DaveStroup/sta…
— Dave Stroup (@DaveStroup) November 1, 2012

Dave Stroup is on the scene.

More trucks, spotlight from Helicopter on Florida Ave fire. twitter.com/DaveStroup/sta…
— Dave Stroup (@DaveStroup) November 1, 2012

Trick or Treat: a Few Halloween Tips

zombie dance, a photo by philliefan99 on Flickr

I hope everybody survived the storm with minimal damage, and is ready to celebrate Halloween tonight. Here is a short guide to help make your Halloween more enjoyable. I think it's a a good reminder for longtimers, and a good primer for newbies.

The basics:

1. Do kids trick or treat around here? Absolutely. And I think we'll get pretty good turnout tonight because many of us still have cabin fever.

2. I bought candy. Why aren't kids are coming to my house? It's dark out there. Turn on your porchlight/light your pumpkin. Otherwise kids don't know you are home. Not getting the turnout you expected? Maybe your neighbors have dark houses. Kids will skip a mostly dark block.

What is Open Today?

Here's a running list of local spots. I will try to update it as I hear news.

Shawafel: normal business hours
Queen Vic: open at 12pm
Toki Underground: open at 12:30
Taylor Gourmet: normal business hours
H&Pizza
The Pug
Sidamo

Confirmed closed: Sova

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Halloween Edition

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Halloween Edition

All Weekend

Work by Dan Finnegan on view at the Hill Center's "Pottery on the Hill".  Photo courtesy of the artist.

Hill Center Pottery Exhibition

The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital presents a group exhibition of 15 potters from around the United States.  This ambitious project is open to the public on Saturday October 27 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday October 28 from noon to 4pm.  A cocktail reception on Friday October 26 requires tickets.  For more information click here.  To read a review of the exhibition by Eric Hope click here.

The Hill Center is located at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Please join Sova and the MidAtlantic Innocence Project for a concert by

Exoneree

Exoneree is a band of diverse and talented musicians from around the country, all of whom spent years in prison for crimes they did not commit. This group will absolutely rock the house with their original songs and soulful performances. Learn more at: www.reverbnation.com/exoneree.

Come out on Sunday and show your support for the MidAtlantic Innocence Project (MAIP), working to free innocent people and prevent wrongful convictions in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The concert is free and open to the public but donations are encouraged. And be sure to drink up! 15% of bar proceeds will benefit MAIP.

Art in the Alley is Saturday

Don't forget that Trinidad's Art in the Alley is Saturday. The event is free, and it's always a great time. Come in costume on your way out to celebrate Halloween.

Tots of Trinidad Halloween Parade

Tots of Trinidad DC

Halloween Parade

Wednesday, October 31^st starting at 6:00pm

Joseph Cole Park, 1200 Morse Street, NE

Come join the costume parade!

Musicians from the university of the district of columbia

will provide brass band music

All are welcomed to participate!

Tots of Trinidad DC (ToT DC): A place for parents/relatives/caregivers and children of  Trinidad and all DC neighborhoods to socialize, support one another and work together to make our community a wonderful place for kids to learn, play and thrive.

Join the group listserv: tots-of-trinidad-dc@googlegroups.com

‘Like’ the Facebook Page: Tots of Trinidad DC…Voicemail/Text: (202) 670-TOT5 (8685)

Local Night at the Pug

 The Pug is kicking off a new thing on Wednesdays called local night.

We'll be doing this Wednesday nights from now on, having someone from the local breweries, distilleries, and food producers come by to chat about their product. We strongly support local products, and all 10 of our draft lines are produced within 250 miles of the Pug.

The Pug is located at 1234 H Street.

Nightmare on H Street at Cusbah

Cusbah is vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Arrest in Troxler Murder Case

MPD announced this weekend that they have made an arrest in the recent murder of Gregory Darnell Troxler. Troxler was found bleeding in an alley south of Florida Ave the afternoon of October 10th. Press release below:

Arrest in the Homicide in the 1100 Block of 8th Street, NE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting which occurred in the 1100 block of 8th Street, NE.

On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at approximately 3:51 pm, units from the Fifth District heard sounds of gunshots coming from the area of the 1100 block of 8th Street, NE.  Officers responded and located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds.  DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life.  The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where he was pronounced dead.

You Might Want to Avoid That McDonald's

WUSA9 reports on really disgusting conditions at the McDonald's Express located at 841 H Street (in the H Street Connection). We're talking mice, roaches, burger buns kept in the bathroom, storing chicken at the wrong temperature, operating without hot water, dirty soda nozzles, a sewage backup, and generally unsanitary conditions. You can read the news report here. Here's a response from that McDonald's franchisee.

Thanks to reader Kenny G. for leaving this in the comments.

PoP: Red Rocks Pizzeria coming to 1348 H Street

Prince of Petworth reports that Red Rocks Pizzeria is headed for the Evolve owned space at 1348 H Street. Originally the space was to become Sweet Charleston's which would have served up low country food.

It should be noted that this is basically two buildings that were combined a while back, so that's going to make it a HUGE restaurant space (according to the PoP post it will be 7,000 sqft spread over 3 stories). Red Rocks uses a woodburning oven to turn out Neopolitan style pies.

Express Loves H Street

 H Street spots knocked it out of the park this year with Express' Best Of awards (readers' choice). Here are the winners:

Dining:
Toki Underground (2nd floor of 1234 H Street) was named best new restaurant.
Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H Street) took home top honors for pies.
Sticky Rice (1224 H Street) got the most votes for favorite sushi restaurant. The tator tots are also pretty good.
Taylor Gourmet (1116 H Street) was crowned king of the sandwiches. Look for their new cheesesteak spot to open in December.
Ethiopic (WEBSITE PLAYS MUSIC 401 H Street) took home the 2nd place for best Ethiopian food in DC.

Arts:
The Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street) got the nod for third best small theater.

DC Life:
The X2 bus took home third place for best bus line. I'm sensing that this might be related to its notorious reputation.

Nightlife:
Biergarten Haus (1355 H Street) was the top choice for outdoor drinking.
The Pug (1234 H Street) showed its chops with the title for number 2 dive bar.
H Street Country Club (1335 H Street) is the best bar for those who like to play games. They's got skee-ball, mini-golf, and more.

Kids:
Argonaut (1433 H Street) took home the runner-up for best restaurant for kids.

Shopping:
Metro Mutts (508 H Street) walked away with the best pet store award.

Who's Ready for Thriller on H Street?

Think you have what takes to horrify audiences on H Street? Sign up for Joy of Motion's Thriller workshop ($25 a head of time, and $30 the day of). The workshop is from 7:30-9:15 (Friday, October 26th), and the performance is at 9:30. Anyone can watch the performance, which takes place in the AutoZone parking lot. You must be at least 18 to participate in this workshop. Joy of Motion's studio is located at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1233 H Street).

Shooting in the 1700 Block of Benning Road

The MPD alert for a shooting appears below.

SHOOTING 0010 HOURS, 1700 BLOCK OF BENNING ROAD, NE// NO LOOKOUT DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #

Sent on: 10/18 00:32

There's also this from Twitter:

Shooting - 1700blk Benning Rd NE - male shot in back, treated & transported to trauma center, pri 1, life-threatening #dcfd
— DC Fire Fighters L36 (@IAFF36) October 18, 2012

The Harvest at Union Market

Union Market is located at 1309 5th Street.

Celebrate Halloween with Jimmy Valentine's

Please be advised that this event sells out every year. Get your tickets to this Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Hearts Club event here.

Customer Appreciation Day at Tynan Coffee & Tea

Tynan Coffee and Tea (1275 1st Street NE) is hosting a customer appreciation day tomorrow (October 18th) at their NoMa location.  The celebration features specials, and some giveaways.

·         Free pastry with purchase of a beverage from 6-10am

·         Raffles to win a $25 Tynan Gift Card at 10am, 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm

·         Free shoe shine with any purchase from 2-5pm

·         $2.00 Off Happy Hour from 4–8pm

Green Hat Gin Happy Hour 10/17 at Boundary Road

Boundary Road is teaming up with the makers of Green Hat Gin to celebrate the launch of DC's first legally distilled liquor. Distilled a mile and a half from Boundary Road (1832 Fenwick St. NE, up in Ivy City), Green Hat is a deliciously smooth, citrusy gin, produced in small batches in a copper pot still. The crew from Boundary Road has put together a special cocktail menu for the night, and the distiller will be on hand to chat, answer any questions, and sip a drink or two with patrons.

5-8pm at Boundary Road. 414 H St

Join the Daily Rider for the Illuminated Art Ride

Hey, the Daily Rider (1108 H Street) has an interesting event coming up this Saturday. Check it out.

Don't just see art. Be art.

In cooperation with Sciathan Productions and Art All Night, The Daily Rider proudly presents The Illuminated Art Ride 2012, a celebration of the art of bicycles. Light yourself and your ride, let your creativity soar, and join us at the Daily Rider for finishing touches before we begin our spirited parade through DC with our very own musical accompaniment. We will wind through night life and monuments on our 8 mile casual ride before reaching our final destination and visiting the venues of DC's Art All Night presented by the Downtown BID.

What's an illuminated ride? We can't wait to see what you make it! Come by starting at 7PM to decorate your bike with our selection of blinking, glowing, and reflecting accessories (on us!). Find updates about this ride at our Facebook event page.

Get more info, and register, here.

FRESHFARM Market Pop-Up Returns to Union Market

A quick note from the good folks at FRESHFARM Market:

We’re doing another pop up at union market, Saturday only!

We’ll have apples, pears, apple cider, eggs, leeks, squash, tomatoes, chard, Tuscan kale, white and sweet patotos, onion,  value-added stuff from Tiogo Orchards

FFM would like to do a permanent farm stand at union market (provides would go to help run the organization, we are none-profit and farmer fees  only cover 50 percent of our expenses). We just have to see if we can make it work.

Which VIP is Dining on H Street?

 At a little after 12:30pm Sticky Rice sent out the following tweet:

VIP on hst today during lunch. No hst parking for now.
— Sticky Rice DC(@StickyRiceDC) October 12, 2012

Since that time Twitter has been all abuzz with speculation as to the identity of the mystery guest. Reports have come in that the Secret Service was on site scoping out the area earlier this week. A reader pointed out that Obama is scheduled to have one of his Dinner with Obama events tonight at an undisclosed restaurant. President Obama previously dined on H Street at Boundary Road (414 H Street).  The First Lady has visited Sticky Rice (1224 H Street). For those experiencing Biden fever, it's not him (he's still in Wisconsin).

++++++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE

++++++++++++++++++++++

Our mystery guest did turn turn out to be Obama, and he had dinner at Smith Commons (1245 H Street).

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Outsider Art Edition

Saturday October 12

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) (10am)

CHAW will be hosting a film festival in honor of their year-long 40^th anniversary celebration.  Featured films include “Attack of the Giant Pants” and “Alien Invasion,” short films made by CHAW students, and “CHAW@40,” a 15 minute film stitching together vintage footage, video interviews, historical and contemporary photographs, bulletins, flyers, and more.  A $5 donation is suggested.  For more information click here.

CHAW is located at 545 Seventh Street SE

Photo courtesy of Art Enables

Art Enables (1pm to 4pm)

Art Enables is hosting its Seventh Annual Outsider Art Inside the Beltway at their Brookland Gallery.  Many well known national organizations are participating and are coming from as far away as rural Maine and San Francisco, CA.  We have it on good authority that this year’s show is the best one yet. For more information click here.

Art Enables is located at 2204 Rhode Island Avenue NE

Free Screening of Beauty is Embarrassing at the Atlas

THE ATLAS, GALLERY O ON H STREET AND THE WEST END CINEMA PRESENT

A PREVIEW SCREENING OF

BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING

Directed by Neal Berkeley

ARTIST AND FILM SUBJECT WAYNE WHITE WILL APPEAR AT THE WEST END FOR A Q&A ON OCTOBER 20!

BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING OPENS EXCLUSIVELY AT THE WEST END CINEMA ON OCTOBER 19.

Celebrate Halloween with The Queen Vic

The Queen Vic is located at 1206 H Street. Vote for the scary movie here.

Street Car Delayed...Again

Streetcar, a photo by Franco Folini on Flickr

Yesterday brought unsurprising news that the H Street Streetcar will face further delays. Part of the delay comes from an effort to have Spingarn (the future site of the carbarn) designated as historic. It should be noted that the group pushing the historic designation maintains that the timing is merely coincidental, and the petition is unrelated to the streetcar barn. Frankly, I think calling that claim specious would give it greater credulity than it deserves. I'm all for making sure the carbarn is constructed with an eye to matching the architecture of Spingarn (which is a pretty attractive building). I am, however, annoyed by further delays. We could be looking at anything from 90 days (if the petition fails) to several months (if the petition succeeds). At any rate, we can no longer anticipate streetcars up and running by late 2013. It's definitely going to be sometime in 2014.

Here's a Storify piece (from Ldecastrique) capturing Twitter responses to yesterday's hearing on the Streetcar Amendment Act of 2012.

Here's coverage from the Washington Post's Mike DeBonis. Greater Greater Washington digs deeper and explores a history of streetcar planning missteps. DCist discusses the possibility of running historic streetcars along our tracks.

More on Bardo (Coming to Bladensburg Road)

I was originally going to write this as an update to yesterday's post announcing the coming of Bardo, but it seems to now have become a post unto itself. I walked up to the proposed site (1200-1216 Bladensburg Road) last night with a friend. It is pretty far up there (just before you hit the Denny's if you are walking north). It's a large space (important since they hope it can hold nearly 350 people), and it looked like someone was in the process of erecting a new chain link fence.



As revealed on the Titan of Trinidad, Bardo is a project from the former owner of Bardo Rodeo and Dr. Dremo's. The Going Out Gurus explain what this means. Additional coverage (some background) from ARL now,

Background on Bardo Rodeo from DC Beer, Tilting Suds, Real Beer, Bardo.com.au. Hey look, old photos.

Background on Dr. Dremo's from DC Foodies, and Yours for Good Fermentables.

As some readers have pointed out, it is a bit of a hike from H Street (particularly if you are unfamiliar with the strip). For the casual traveler, there are buses that run up that way. This also seems to me like it could become more of a destination bar. A place were you might legitimately plan to spend the evening, rather than planning to barhop. Regardless, this is terrific news for Bladensburg Road, and Trinidad more generally (despite the anticipated rantings of Kathy Henderson, it should also benefit Carver Terrace).

Tots of Trinidad Halloween Costume Parade

Halloween Costume - Vampire, a photo by Dark Dwarf on Flickr

Are you looking for a fun way to kick off your little one's Halloween celebration this year? Look no further. Tots of Trinidad has a small children's parade planned.

Date: Wednesday, October 31st, 2012
Time: 5:15pm (gather) - 5:30pm (parade)
Place: Joe Cole Park (1200 block of Morse Street)

Music and treats for the little ones. More details pending.

++++++++++

UPDATE

++++++++++

I'm hearing that there will be a time change, but I don't have it yet.

BYT Presents Zombie Takeover of H Street

Photo by Laura C. 

Brightest Young Things is selling tickets for their costumed event Thursday October 18th (7-11pm). The price goes up as the event approaches, but they are available for just $5 as I write this. Tickets get you discounts on some BYT Halloween stuff, a raffle entry, and a coupon book for drink and food specials at participating H Street spots (BYT djs at select locations).

ToT: Huge Brew Pub Coming to Trinidad

Titan of Trinidad has a massive scoop about a new brew pub and outdoor bar coming to Bladensburg Road (1200,1212, 1214, 1216  Bladensburg Rd., NE). The new establishment, named Bardo, will replace a large outdoor tire lot. This place is REALLY big. 98 seats indoors, and 251 seats in the summer garden. Awesome news for Bladensburg Road, and Trinidad more generally!

Announcement of the ABRA app. after the jump.

SUPAFRIK Po-Up at Gallery O/H

The good folks over at Gallery O/H (1354 H Street) have an interesting pop-up coming soon. Details below:

WHAT: SUPAFRIK Pop-Up Shop/Gallery

WHEN: Oct 18th to Oct 21st

WHERE: Gallery O on H, 1354 H Street NE Washington DC

FASHION SHOW/LAUNCH EVENT: Thursday October 18th 6PM -11PM

AFRO-HOUSE PARTY&SHOP: Friday October 19th 8PM - 2AM

The travelling SUPAFRIK pop-up shop/gallery is making its US debut in Washington DC from October 18th - October 21st. See the attached press release for more details or visit supafrik.com

Elle Magazine lists SUPAFRIK as top 5 fashionable events for the weekend

NOW Magazine‘s Andrew Sardone listed SUPAFRIK as one of the “can’t miss debuts” in his style notes/store of the week column
The Grid featured SUPAFRIK in two different sections for party and fashion event of the week!

Blogto.com‘s Paul Agguire mentions SUPAFRIK in “This Week in Fashion”second only to the Joe Fresh store opening
Torontolife‘s highly coveted The Hype lists SUPAFRIK launch event on their“Todolist” along with Festival of India and the Taylor Swift concert
Metromorning on CBC Radio also name checked the SUPAFRIK launch as one of the top events to check for this weekend.

Lost: "Baby Cat"

Please help find Baby Cat, a year old black and white female cat, who has been spayed. She seems to have gotten out of my apartment near the Atlas Theater at some point on October 6th.

If you see her, please call 863-398-6700

Lost Dog: Murray

++++++++++++++++

UPDATE

+++++++++++++++++

Murray has been found, and is receiving medical treatment.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A reader sent in the following strage tale of a lost dog:

Please help find Murray, a dog lost in DC near H Street NE! If you can help put up flyers and search for Murray, please call or text 202-641-0955 or just come to 1012 1/2 6th St NE to pick up flyers.

On the morning of Friday, October 5th, I was walking my two dogs along with my friends' dog who I was dogsitting. A guy came along and as he was passing us on the sidewalk, yelled that Murray, my f...

riends' dog, bit him. He grabbed Murray's leash, then Murray pulled out of his collar and the guy started chasing him down the street.

FRESHFARM Market Pop-Up at Union Market

FRESHFARM Market (the people behind the H Street farmers market held at 13th and Florida every Saturday) will have a pop-up stand at the new Union Market (1309 5th St NE). The pop-up will accept cash, credit cards, and SNAP (EBT/food stamps). 

More info: Drawing from the bounty of its markets, FRESHFARM Markets will be filling a farm stand pop-up with limited quantities of seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as specialty prepared food items. Products and artisanal foods from FRESHFARM Markets family of farmers & producers including Toigo Orchards and Spring Valley Farm and Orchard will be sold at this one-time pop-up.

10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday.

Urban Turf: What's Your Fav Proposal for 1300 H St?

Urban Turf asks which of the six proposals (each from a different developer) you would choose for the R. L. Christian Library.

Meeting Tonight Re: R. L. Christian Library

What: An ANC 6A Economic Develop-ment and Zoning Committee meeting on the future redevelopment of the R. L. Christian Library parcel. Several development teams will present their proposals and answer questions.

When: 7-9pm

Where: Sherwood Rec (13th and G Street)

Get the agenda here.

Missing: 15 Year old Joy Taplett

DC Police Department @DCPoliceDept
MISSING: 15-yo Joy Taplett, 1800 B/O Benning Rd, NE, on 9/21. Have info? Call Det. Spriggs at (202) 576-6768.

Sounds of H Street 10/11

Congressional Chorus and American Youth Chorus
Thursday, October 11 7-10pm \
Pierce School Lofts
1375 Maryland Avenue

HuffPost re: 24 Hours 'O Taja Construction Madness

The Huffington Post DC picked the story of Taja Construction's (and that of Taja's owner Michael Watson) jerky behavior in Trinidad this weekend (and pretty much all the time over the past several months). Here's some of the recent Twitter response. For my tweets you can check my timeline from September 29-30th. I'll try to flesh it out with a post if I get a spare moment. For now, just remember not to use Taja. They are a total nightmare.

Found Engagement Ring at The Argonaut

RING_HEART, a photo by DeeJayTee23 on Flickr

The owner of the Argonaut Tavern informs me that staff found an engagement ring there a month or two ago, but no one has come forward to claim it. If you think it might be yours please email Scott at scottrmagnuson[at]gmail.com with a photo, or a very detailed description of the ring.

District Cuisine: Preview of Po Boy Jim

District Cuisine catches up with Po Boy Jim, which is coming soon to 709 H Street. It sounds like they are a few months away, but this could be a very welcome addition to the H Street Corridor.

Chicken & Rice Comes to H Street

We now have a new Indian restaurant on H Street. I'm not entirely sure that they are 100% open yet, but they have a menu and phone number posted in the front window. Chicken and Rice, which appears to specialize in curries, is located at 813 H Street (inside the H Street Connection). Apparently they also cater.