W.S. Jenks & Son Hardware Opens Monday

Photo courtesy of W.S. Jenks & Son 

I know that many of you have been eagerly awaiting the opening of a local hardware store in Trinidad (and damn near the eastern end of the H Street Corridor). Wait no longer, it's happening Monday. I don't yet have their hours, but I spoke with a representative from W.S. Jenks & Son who confirmed to me that they will open on Monday. Current hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-5pm. Saturday 9am-4pm. The hardware store's new space has been vacant since the owner evicted a methadone clinic in late 2009 (reportedly over unpaid rent). There is limited parking in the alley lot, and parking is currently available after 9:30am out front on Bladensburg Road (per a store representative).

Need a Break Over the Holidays? JV's & LMW's are Open!

Jimmy Valentine's during a recent neighborhood fundraiser

Mark Thorp of Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Hearts Club (1103 Bladensburg Road) and Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar (1104 H Street) wrote in wanting to remind everyone that both bars maintain their normal hours 365 days a year.

Daddy Daughter Day at Toki Underground

Photo courtesy of Toki

Toki Underground (2nd floor 1234 H Street) sends word of a very special family bonding event at the restaurant.

DADDY DAUGHTER DAY AT TOKI UNDERGROUND!
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2015
Time: 12pm and 2pm (2 Seatings Only)
Ticket: $30 includes 1 dad and 1 daughter. Each additional daughter is $5.

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone enjoys a little down time with friends and family. Stay safe and warm!

PETA Protests Foie La La Outside Boundary Road

Say no to #foiegras pic.twitter.com/KSJ3cjJdyy
— Bruce Friedrich (@BruceGFriedrich) December 23, 2014

A group of H Street restaurants teamed up to participate in the second year of a multi-day friendly competition to create the best dish based around a single ingredient...foie gras. Needless to say, this did not sit well with everyone. The competition is titled Foie La La. Last year seven restaurants participated, but this year started out with nine competitors before dropping down to eight (Micho's withdrew from the event a few days ago). The hash tag #FoieLaLa began appearing in tweets criticizing the event as well as those publicizing and expressing excitement about it. PETA got involved with a protest involving participants dressed as waiters serving up bloodied ducks on platters in front of Boundary Road (chef and owner Brad Walker came up with the idea for Foie La La).

8 Crazy Nights of Hanukkah & Xmas Mitzvah IV at Star & Shamrock

The celebration is already in full swing at the Star & Shamrock (1341 H Street) with 8 Crazy Nights of Hanukkah and Xmas Mitzvah IV.

Holiday Carol Singing on H Street

Caroler, originally uploaded by cheekycrows3. Used under a creative commons license

A group of neighbors has organized a holiday sing-a-long and you're invited. Announcement (slightly edited from the Facebook page):

Join your friends and neighbors to celebrate the season in song. We will gather at the Argonaut (1433 H Street) and then proceed to serenade H Street with songs of the season. Have a favorite carol? Leave it in the comments and we'll try to make sure it's on our list. Then we will end up back at the Argo for nourishment and fellowship. Also beer. They have that. This event is family friendly. Kids are welcome!

This event is this Friday and starts at 6pm.

Kendall Row (AKA Capitol Hill Oasis) Townhome Finally Under Contract (Sale Pending)

Alert reader Karen writes in with news that one of the Kendall Row (long known as the Capitol Hill Oasis) townhomes might actually be in the process of selling. The 3,750 square foot, five bedroom, five bathroom, townhome was last listed for $850k. It was originally (this time around, they'd been on the market before) priced at $1,099,000. Part of the problem (along with the project's bizarre history) is the really weird layout, but you'll be able to see that if you look at the virtual tour. I also saw cracked grout and fixtures that didn't seem high end enough to match the price tag. The unit I saw also had an elevator, which I don't imagine would be cheap to maintain. You can get other details on Redfin.

Celebrate Fiesta-Vus at Impala 12/20

Mexican food, good drinks, and festive music sound like a good way to beat the cold to me. The Joodlum Group partners with Impala (1358 H Street) for this one. Saturday 10pm-3am. No cover.

Toyland After Hours: a Holiday Burlesque Show at Rock & Roll Hotel

Doors: 8:30pm
Show: 9pm
Where: Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street)
Tickets: $10adv/$12dos

Local Food Round Up

Red Apron reportedly serves up a mean meatball sub

The blog A Second Bite is a fan of Sidamo Coffee and Tea (417 H Street).

DCist gives some love to Red Apron (1309 5th Street), Bullfrog Bagels (1341 H Street), Taylor Gourmet (1116 H Street), Neopol Smokery (1309 5th Street), and Boundary Road (414 H Street), in its list of DC's Best Sandwiches.

The Green Zone Middle Eastern Themed Cocktails Pop Up at Vendetta

Vendetta (1212 H Street) is hosting a pop up that serves Middle Eastern themed cocktails. The pop up comes via the Green Zone and is this Thursday from 6pm-1am (upstairs only). They'll have a variety of drinks (menu below) and some free bar snacks. You can read more about the Green Zone from WTOP and Thrillist.

Krampusnacht on H Street

The evening started with a fire show.

Two Rivers Public Charter School Info Session on New Charles Young Location

From an invite to an upcoming info session on Two Rivers Public Charter School's new location:

Two Rivers Public Charter School is a preschool-8th grade school that is currently located just across Florida Avenue on 4th Street NE. We are opening up a new location, starting with preschool-1st grade next fall. TR participates in the DC Common Lottery. We have a few school options in the neighborhood - this is one more! Spread the word; it's an amazing school.

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Artists Have the Best Holiday Parties Edition

Atmospheric Study by Tamora Ilasat. Image courtesy of the artist

Friday, December 12

Carroll Square Gallery – 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Hemphill Fine Arts announces a showing of artwork by Tracy’s Kids Art Therapy Program. This program engages young cancer patients, their sibling, and parents in the creative process to reflect on and express their feelings about their treatment experiences. For more details about the exhibition, click here.

Carroll Square Gallery is located at 975 F Street NW

H Street's Krampusnacht Makes National Geographic

H Street's festive Krampusnacht fundraiser got a nice bit of positive press on the National Geographic Intelligent Traveler website.

Rock & Roll to Host Pop Up Cat Café 12/18

Have drink with a band of friendly felines during a pop up cat café at Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H Street) on Thursday December 18th from 5-8pm. Eight cats. Play. Cuddle. Adopt.

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Who Need Miami Edition

David Molesky explores the future of humanity's evolution in RIOT. Image courtesy The Fridge

Thursday, December 4

Studio 21 – 6 p.m.

Domeworks 2014 displays the art of Ryan Martinez and Jeremiah Tittle. The exhibit portrays Martinez’s works as they shift between abstract and representational while discussing Tittle’s commentary on the effects of technology in our society. For details, click here.

 Studio 21 is located on the Arts Walk at Monroe St. Market, 716 Monroe Street NE.

Urban Turf: REI Confirmed for Uline Arena

Rendering from Douglas Development site

The rumor that REI would come to the Uline Arena is not exactly a new one, but it had never been an on the record done deal...until now. Urban Turf reports that a Douglas Development representative confirmed that the sporting good store will occupy the entire first floor of the Uline Arena. Most of you likely know the Uline Arena as that funny shaped building easily visible from the New York Ave Metro station, as well as the first site of the Beatle's first US concert. Did you know it was also used as a trash transfer station (among its many other incarnations) and was actually facing demolition at one point? Wikipedia has a decent history of the Uline, but there's a ton of other fun stuff online.

Nomad Yard Collectiv Hosts Autism Speaks Benefit

Explore a cool new business (Nomad Yard) and support a worthy cause (Autism Speaks) at the same time.

Krampus Returns to H Street (for a Great Cause) 12/5

Friday night is Krampusnacht and H Street will come alive with avatars of Santa's less cuddly helper, Krampus. On the evening of 5 December (eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas), a beast-like creature roams the streets frightening children with rusty chains and bells. According to Alpine lore, St. Nicholas is accompanied by several helpful attendants, one of which is the horned satyr known as Krampus. Whereas St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, Krampus is said to capture particularly naughty children in his sack and carry them away to his lair for punishment!

Jam for Juvenile Justice Benefit at Treehouse Lounge

Treehouse Lounge (1006 Florida Ave) is the venue for a benefit for Youth Court of DC. The Youth Court is great diversion program for first-time non-violent juvenile offenders. Youth Court gives these kids the opportunity for a second chance by taking them out of the traditional court system and offering them rehabilitative programming instead of just a criminal record.

A Fall Dinner at DC Harvest

The Harvest Moon cocktail

I recently enjoyed a dinner at the newly opened (September) DC Harvest (517 H Street). This was not my first time dining there, and based on my experiences it's certainly a place I'd recommend for a nice dinner out along the Corridor. The interior is welcoming, with soft lights (but not so dim you would struggle to read the menu), and a modest noise level. It could probably serve equally well for a dinner date or a nice cocktail/happy hour with a friend or two. I should note that I have seen families with young children enjoy dinner there, and point out that DC Harvest has both highchairs and a kids' menu. Regarding that kids' menu, think pasta/steak/turkey breast with seasonal veggies or fingering potatoes instead of the usual kids' burger or chicken fingers. They will even serve mocktails to make the evening seem extra festive.