Local Briefing: 1 Year of Streetcar, Paper Horse at Whole Foods, & a Union Kitchen Open House

The streetcar celebrated one year of service yesterday, and they're throwing a party to mark the occasion. They'll have free appetizers, cupcakes, and streetcar give aways at Ben's Upstairs (2nd floor of 1001 H St.) on Saturday (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.). The streetcar team has crunched the numbers on that first year and come up with some interesting stats:

• Average daily ridership of 2,721
• 906,000 total riders (enough to fill RFK 20 times)
• 101,000 miles of service (enough distance to circle the planet more than 4 times)
• The most popular time to ride is between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• 6,000 hours of service
• The most popular stops are Union Station, 8th, & 13th
• More than 2.6 million square feet of proposed new development
• 770,000 square feet of development currently under construction
• $356,000 in completed projects since launch
• 4,967 students enrolled in the H Street/Benning Road Corridor
• 410 shows at the Atlas since launch
• 86,000 half-smoke served at the Ben's Chili Bowl on H Street
• 17,950 rounds of golf played at Langston Golf Course since launch

Getting into Gardening Season

When I first got a dog I didn't yet have a proper garden fence

I'm sure I was not alone in taking advantage of the beautiful weather Saturday morning to do a little garden prep work before the rain arrived. I was digging up one section of my yard with an eye towards expanding my green patch, and I found a few interesting things. In the past I've unearthed old seltzer bottles, glass marbles, bits of vintage bathroom tile, an assortment of animal bones, and even a metal mini-lipstick case that appeared to date from the 1920s. This time the soil yielded two old clay marbles and an Indian head penny from 1902. I've heard from other neighbors who've found some pretty interesting things over the years.

Two Officers Shot & Injured & a Gunman Killed in Trinidad Last Night

The two MPD officers shot last night in the 1400 block of Morse sustained non-life threatening wounds, and are expected to survive. The gunman who shot them is dead. It happened about 10:40 p.m. last night in Trinidad, and many people in the immediate area heard the gunshots. Many more heard helicopters and sirens. There's obviously lots of coverage, some of which I've provided links to below.

Local Briefing: Brick & Mortar Pops Up, a Police Rescue from a Burning Car, & Wine Class at the Pursuit

Pop up bar Brick & Mortar is temporarily setting up shop on the second floor of Mythology (816 H St.). Who, and what, is Brick & Mortar?

Brick & Mortar serves classic and original cocktails, bringing together your go-to bar items with funky and interesting ingredients. We feature premium international and American craft spirits, along with local distilleries when possible. We curate a list of small-production wines from both Old and New World wine regions, while our variety of beers highlight the best local and international breweries.

Brick & Mortar’s menu is curated by our Beverage Director, Bryan Smith. With years of experience at some of DC’s most vibrant and engaging beverage programs (Fiola Mare, Vidalia and Woodward Table), Bryan and the rest of the Brick & Mortar team balance refinement and originality across the cocktail, wine, and beer programs.

Wrapping Up a Violent Long Weekend

We had a pretty violent past few days in the larger neighborhood. I've listed some of the more serious crimes below.

1. Blunt Force Trauma - 700 block of 21st Street - Friday

At 12:53 p.m. on Friday Feb. 17 police responded to an "Investigate the Trouble" call in the 700 block of 21st Street and found an unconscious male with apparent bodily trauma inside a residence. Unresponsive, he was rushed to the hospital, but later died. Police identified him as 63 year old Walter Mack Clark of SE D.C., and they arrested 76 year old Thomasine Bennett of NE D.C. charging her with Assault with Intent to Kill. That charge was later upgraded to First Degree Murder While Armed after the autopsy results came back.

Local Briefing: No Two Boots for H St., Beautification in Carver-Langston, & Union Market Presidents Day Hours

It looks like we're not getting a Two Boots on H Street after all. The owners told a Washington Business Journal reporter they have too much on their plates right now, but plan to look at an H Street location in the future.

Local Briefing: Sospeso & Turning Natural Openings, Local Spots Close for Day Without Immigrants Protest, & Internships at the Atlas

Pow Pow is one the local businesses choosing to close today as part of the Day Without Immigrants Protest

We've got two new places opening on H Street this weekend. Friday brings us Sospeso (1344 H St.), a Mediterranean inspired restaurant that will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On Saturday stop by Turning Natural (1380 H St.) starting at 10:30 a.m. to try out one of their juices or smoothies, or grab a bite to eat. They close at 6 p.m.

Please note that several local spots will be closed today as the owners and staff participate in the national Day Without Immigrants to protest the immigration policies of President Trump. Washingtonian has a long list of places, so check before you head out for a meal.

Whole Foods Open 3/15, DPR Spring Programs, & a Book Reading at Ben's Upstairs

The cat's out of the bag, the new Whole Foods coming to 600 H St. will open its doors Wednesday, March 15.

Among the 40,000-square-foot store's highlights:

• An expanded version of Paper Horse from Chef Erik Bruner-Yang, introducing a larger Chinese diner-style menu, featuring Asian comfort foods
• Collaborations with Atlas Brew Works, including a first-to-market “Home Rule” brew and baked-from-scratch breads made from recycled brewer’s grain
• Exclusive local products, including sauces and spice blends from Maketto, Cava restaurant sauces and D.C.-based Snacklins’ vegan “pork rinds”
• Extensive hot and cold prepared foods bars, using local, natural and organic ingredients and offering seasonal dishes, ethnic cuisine and comfort food
• A mezzanine pub with 16 local beers on tap, wine by the glass and a gourmet hot dog cart
• An outdoor patio

Local Briefing: Valentine's Whole Foods Treats, Pop Up Po' Boys, & 2 DDOT Meetings

The Hill is Home says that Whole Foods (600 H St.) staff will pass out free Valentine's cookies at the corner of Sixth and H Street tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Whole Foods folks will reportedly also use the occasion to announce the store's opening date.

Local Briefing: Non-Fatal Shooting, ANC 5D Meeting, SAO Pops Up

According to an email sent to a local listserv by an MPD representative, police responded to a report of gunshots in the 1400 block of H Street just before 12:30 p.m. Saturday. They located an adult male, who had been shot in the leg, a short distance away in the 1400 block of Morse Street. The victim was taken to the hospital, and officers later discovered shell casings in the 1300 block of H Street. The suspect has been described as a young adult black male with a light complexion and curly hair, standing 5'7" to 5'9" tall, weighing about 145 lbs, wearing a black jacket and a gold chain necklace.

Valentine's Day at DC Harvest & a Mardi Gras Extravaganza at Dock5

There's no shortage of festivities in our area at the moment, whether you are looking to celebrate Valentine's Day or Mardi Gras. Here are two local options.

Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Union Market (1309 Fifth St.) hosts the Mardi Gras Extravaganza at Dock5. The event brings together more than 20 of the DC area’s best Southern-inspired restaurants, top mixologists, bars and breweries and rotating bands for a night of New Orleans style fun benefiting DC Central Kitchen and the Saint Bernard Project.

More Details on Mysterious Queen Street Death, Nerds in NoMa, & Valentine's Day at Fare Well

More details have emerged surrounding the mysterious death of 66 year old Awlachew Ayele, whose body was discovered after a fire at his apartment in the 1100 block of Queen Street Jan. 26. Fox 5 has been covering the story, and has created a timeline of events that is absolutely horrifying. Apparently in the 24 hours leading up to the discovery of his body Ayele had reported to police that drug dealers had taken over his apartment (reportedly after kicking down the door). Hours later emergency personnel responded to a call for an assault at the apartment. Early the next morning firefighters arrived after someone reported the smell of smoke at the apartment, extinguished the fire, and discovered Ayele's body under debris.

Valentine's Day Pet Photos, Trinidad Crafting Salon, & Coq au Vin

Image of hand knitting from the Trinidad Crafting Salon event page

Metro Mutts (508 H St.) will have a Valentine's Day pet photo booth Sunday, February 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. During this time a trainer from Spot On Training will be on-hand to answer any questions you might have about training, pet wellness, and the like. By the way, Metro Mutts is among the local businesses vying for titles in Washington City Paper's Best of Poll. You can vote for the store for Best Pet Shop and Best Dog Walk Service.

Local Briefing: Hopscotch Bridge Work & a Potomac Photographic Journey at Gallery O on H

The view from the edge of the Hopscotch Bridge in 2006

The District Department of Transportation will temporarily close lanes on the Hopscotch Bridge by Union Station starting today. The closures, which will allow DDOT to perform preservation activities, will take place outside of rush hour. All work will be conducted between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and is not expected to significantly impact the flow of traffic. If all goes well, the work should be done by Feb. 28.

Local Briefing: Visiting Local Schools, Two Weekend Shootings, & a Right Royal Pub Quiz

 

It's Pub Quiz season at the Queen Vic 

Do you have a child who will be starting school in the District of Columbia next year? There are lots of opportunities to learn more about our local schools, whether that means a visit during classroom hours, or chatting with current parents.

Local Briefing: Silent Romance at the Atlas, a Fatal Fire & a Wandering 3 Year Old in Trinidad

In a pre-Valentine's Day treat the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St.) will screen the silent movie "Flesh and the Devil" at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. Performer and composer Andrew Earle Simpson will play a live musical soundtrack for the film. This is part of the Atlas' silent film series. "Flesh and the Devil" was directed by Clarence Brown. The 1926 release features actors Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, and Lars Hanson in the story two childhood friends divided by the woman both men love. Viewers can look forward to thrills, chills, dueling, and free popcorn. Tickets are $20.

Local Briefing: Fare Well Founder Talks Shop, Stabbing at 8th & H, & Write Bloody Publishing at Fringe

The podcast Vegan Business Talk features an interview with Doron Petersan of Fare Well (406 H St.) and Sticky Fingers.