Addis Ethiopian Restaurant Now Open at 707 H Street

ethiopian food, a photo by aaaaavry on Flickr. Used under a Creative Commons License

District Cuisine posted something January 19th announcing that Addis would open within a week or so and it happened last night. Late last week I was able to briefly chat with the owner who told me that they will immediately (soft) open with lunch and dinner service seven days a week. Addis does not currently have a liquor license, but the owner told me he intended obtain some sort of license that would allow Addis to serve beer and wine in the near future. Addis will have 59 seats with a total occupancy of 65. They will be child friendly, with highchairs available. They do plan to offer some sort of children's menu during certain times/days, but it seems like they are still trying to work that out. They do not anticipate offering any sort of entertainment in the near future. 707 H Street has been many things in recent years including J & V Pawn, and more recently the clothing stores Unik Style and Casual Corner. Back in 2011 someone also tried to open a place called Xclusive at 707 H.

Neighbors Petition to Save the Wylie Street Garden

From the Change.org petition:

Cities need gardens!  The community of ANC6a in Northeast Washington DC is growing with development and an exciting place to live.  The Wylie Street Garden has created community among the longtime and new residents over 10 years.  Two of three lots are privately owned and one is owned by H Street Community Development Corporation HSCDC.  The community of this neighborhood, HSCDC and property owners recognize the how public gardens bring value to our lives.  Time spent engaged in a green space after creates appreciation, communication, reflection and conversation.  We intend to save and update the only remaining green space along the H Street corridor as the heart of H Street that represents our historical path of perseverance.  Signing this petition will make a difference in every day of our city living in a great neighborhood.

Kathy Henderson Channels Kirby Delauter (AKA Stop Filming Public ANC Meetings)

Kathy Henderson is hopping mad that someone filmed two recent public ANC 5D meetings (portions of one meeting and the entirety of a second meeting) and posted them on YouTube. She really doesn't like that I embedded the videos on my blog so more people could watch them. She posted some weird messages to the Ward5 email list last night. Here is the exchange for your edification:

ANC 5D Special Mtg in Video, Open Letter, & Press Release

Video shot by Edward Milton

Okay, Friday's ANC 5D special meeting was the shortest ANC meeting I've ever been to (17 minutes); it was also exciting and full of surprises. First surprise: the ANC voted 3 to 2 not to participate in the ANC Security Fund. This caught me completely off guard and led to the second surprise: me on video. This is not me at my most articulate, and I certainly did not plan to be on camera. But very soon after the vote, Chair Kathy Henderson adjourned the meeting and I jumped up and asked for a little more discussion of the issue because I had not even contemplated the possibility of the ANC voting against participation. However, as I learned from subsequent discussion with the commissioners who opposed joining the ANC Security Fund, they had good reason to do so.

Tomorrow: Trinidad Neighborhood Association Mtg

The Trinidad Neighborhood Association meets tomorrow Tuesday January 27th from 7-8:30pm at 1310 Childress Street.

On Agenda:
* DPR Spring Break Camps
* New Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners
* TNA Board Elections
* Metropolitan Police Department Update
* Department of Public Works

Shooting in 900 Block of H Street

@FrozenTropics @fiercemorale @kwijybo16 this is the situation at 12th and H right now pic.twitter.com/WlJW3oNX0R
— Eric Heggie (@ericheggie) January 25, 2015

I'm getting conflicting reports of a shooting on H Street NE. I suspect that what may have happened is that there was a shooting near 8th & H and the victim (or another involved party) progressed to around 11th or 12th and H and headed east. I understand that portions of H Street have been blocked off.

[UPDATE: I'm told the shooting actually occurred in the 900 block of H Street, possibly in the H Street Connection parking lot near the 7-11]

Weekend East City Event Round Up: January Super Saturday Edition

Plattner: Chronicles of War/Saints and Martyrs (the one with the Goya Third of May) 2007. 

Oil and Gold Leaf on Linen on Panel 40”x50” Courtesy of American University. 

Saturday, January 24

artdc Gallery – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Join artdc for #WeTweetArt V3.0 the third version of their social media connected show. Viewers are welcome to visit the gallery or go online to connect with artists. The DC area artists involved in this show are working to connect with the whole world via social media so spread the word. For more information, click here.

Reminder: ANC 5D Special Meeting Tomorrow (Friday)

ANC 5D Chair Kathy Henderson has scheduled (notice was sent out last week, so it is timely) a special meeting for 7-7:30pm tomorrow evening (because it is never a bad sign to schedule a public meeting for a Friday night). This meeting concerns financial matter (participation in the ANC Security Fund). This is the only topic on the agenda.

Suspect Arrested in Non-Fatal Shooting of Two on X2 Bus

Metro Transit Police have arrested the man suspected of shooting and injuring two people when he fired into a crowded Metrobus following a verbal altercation. They have also identified the female person of interest who was traveling with Brown at the time of the shooting.

Entrepreneurship Classes at Union Kitchen

Local food business incubator Union Kitchen (1110 Congress Street) is hosting a six-week series of Thursday evening entrepreneurship training classes.

MPD Seeks Alleged Shooter & Person of Interest in Non-Fatal Shootings on the X2 Bus

Metro Transit release are seeking information about the two people pictured above in relation to a shooting incident that resulted in non-critical injuries of two passenger on the X2 bus Monday night. The male (alleged shooter) is described as 5'10" with a slim build.

Kathy Henderson Issues Press Release Denouncing Fellow ANCs, Includes DC Flag

Kathy Henderson Send Out Another Wacky Press Release

Above you'll find  a the press release (white space cropped for convenience) sent out by ANC 5D Chair Kathy Henderson. At first glance you might mistake this for an official District of Columbia letter because it does have that little DC flag that you see on government press releases and agency communications. But this is no official letter. This is merely Henderson railing against her fellow commissioners on ANC 5D. It starts off with a first paragraph that contains inaccuracies. Henderson suggests that newly elected Commissioner Adam Roberts (who was sworn in after other commissioners because he was out of the country during the initial ceremony) didn't prove he was eligible to act as a fully sworn-in ANC. That's not the case. Roberts was sworn in by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. During the meeting Roberts read a communication from Executive Director of the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Gottlieb Simon indicating that Roberts was eligible to both vote and hold office.

ANC 5D Meeting Part II

Video recorded by Edward Milton

After my last post on the ANC 5D Meeting a commenter asked why Comm. Roberts did not dispute the untrue statements of ANC 5D Chair Kathy Henderson. He did. I am told that he explained it early on in the meeting (not recorded on video), and also at the end of the meeting. Comm. Henderson responded by immediately ending the meeting. That video appears above. The audience member interrupting Comm. Roberts is India Henderson (who formerly held the seat now occupied by Comm. Roberts). India resigned mid-term to move out of ANC 5D.

Thrills! Chills! Deception! It's ANC 5D the Movie!

We have something special today via Edward Milton who filmed the ANC 5D meeting and has pledged to film future meetings. This is especially important because ANC 5D Chair Kathy Henderson continues to insist that all ANC 5D meetings be held completely outside ANC 5D boundaries. Kind of not a bad plan...if you want to make it more difficult for constituents to attend meetings.

Nerds in NoMa Returns Tonight

The free DC-centric speaker series Nerds in NoMa kicks off its new season tonight with a look at DC food trucks. Treasure Trucks (RSVP) runs from 6-8pm (1200 1st Street NE).

Attendees may purchase gourmet grilled cheese provided by the food truck the Big Cheese. Free beer and wine is available for attendees 21 and over.

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Welcome to 2015 Edition

Pieces of You by Chanel Compton at Harmony Hall. Exhibition still courtesy of the artist. The exhibition opens to the public Saturday Jan. 10 at Harmony Hall

Thursday, January 8

Studio 21 – 6 p.m.

Dance Place and maDCap exhibit the works of Reza Ghajar in Painting Pain. Ghajar explores aspects that remain common throughout different cultures and societies in his works. For more details, click here.

Studio 21 is located at 716 Monroe St., NE.

Start Mardi Gras Season Right with a 12th Night Party

King cake, coronation of the kings, live music, mesmerizing fire dancers, spellbinding bellydance, a fortune teller, and more! Plus, it benefits charity (Santa's Cause DC). Grab your beads and festive dress.

8pm - 11pm No Cover  (suggested $10 donation no one will be turned away) 21+
100% of collected donations go straight to Santa's Cause DC.
You can register online ahead of time.

Just a Love Tap?

A member of the team from the Pursuit Wine Bar (1421 H Street) sent in this photo of a streetcar and and silver car getting all up close and personal tonight in the 1400 block of H Street. MPD are on the scene. I  assume based on the photo that there were no injuries. A few days ago a car hit (it was the car driver's fault) a streetcar near 6th and H.

You can follow the Pursuit or the streetcar on Twitter.

What Products Do You Want to See at the H Street Organic Market?

The good folks down at the H Street Organic Market (806 H Street) want to hear from you!. They are hosting an open house on Tuesday January the 13th from 7-9pm. Please stop by to see their newest offerings and tell them if there is a way they might better serve customers. Please let them know if there are special items you'd especially like to see them carry.

Upcoming Free National Symphony Orchestra Performances in Our Neighborhood

violin, a photo by flickr user land_camera_land_camera. Used under a Creative Commons license.

Tuesday January 6th 7pm    
NPR
1111 North Capitol Street
This 90-minute chamber performance takes place in NPR’s new Studio 1 and is open to the public (just show up).

Vigilante Coffee Launches Pop-Up at Impala

Espresso, a photo by Flickr user Greencolander. Used under a creative commons license.

Vigilante Coffee is teaming up with Impala (1354 H Street) for a special pop-up café that launches January 16th. The café hours are 7:30am-1pm Friday-Sunday. The Impala team is cranking out some very special donuts that you'll be able to enjoy alongside your coffee. Place your order at the walk up window and grab a seat on the heated patio while you sip your coffee or latte.