Is this Mysterious Explosion a Firework?

Submitted for your approval, one video from local resident vplus that shows a bright (and loud) explosion in the sky as shown from a front porch on 9th Street between I and K Streets NE (view is towards 10th Street NE). Vplus indicates that the explosion happened just before midnight on Wednesday (11:57:28 p.m. ET on 9/27/17). The explosion looks a lot like a blown transformer, but vplus says there isn't any electrical wiring or anything it in the approximate location of that explosion. I checked the satellite view on Google Maps and I also did not see anything like that.

Shooting in 900 Block of 21st Street NE

 

There was a shooting a little after 2:15 am this morning in the 900 block of 21st Street NE. This is in the Carver-Langston area. I haven't seen any information regarding the status of the victim. The full alert of the text is below.

Alert: Shooting at 0218 hrs in the 900 block of 21st Street NE. No Lookout

DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/ EVENT #I20170581892
Sent to 5th District (PSA 501-508) Alert DC
Sent by MPD CAD # 11053

Langston Civic Association to Host 10/3 Meeting re: Food 7 ABRA License

The Langston Civic Association will have a meeting to discuss the liquor license for the Food 7 (1830 Benning Road NE) store on Tuesday, Oct. 3rd. The meeting will take place 6–7 pm at 2109 Maryland Avenue NE.

Low Key Weekend Options for Your Calendar

The National Arboretum hosts a Chile Festival 10/14

It's the end of September, meaning you've survived both the H Street Festival and our local Art All Night events. Maybe you still feel like going out, but are in the mood for something a little more low key. Not a problem. Here are a few very solid local options.

Dio Wine Bar & Quara Ethiopian Now Both Open

 

The H Street Festival has a way of bringing new places out of the woodwork. The H Street Festival saw both Dio Wine Bar (904 H Street NE) and Quara Ethiopian Restaurant (818 H Street NE) open to the public. Eater DC has a good write-up and photos of the former. Below you'll find more information about the latter.

Snag Tickets to this Little Salon #33 on 9/26

Tickets go on sale today at 11 am for the latest Little Salon, which will take place at 621 F Street NE at 7 pm September 26th. Little Salon is intended to be "a one-of-a-kind experience curated to give DCers a non-pretentious dose of the amazing creative talent that surrounds them."

Early Morning Stabbing in the 1300 Block of Florida Ave. Sunday

There was a stabbing around 2:30 am Sunday morning in the 1300 block of Florida Avenue NE. I don't have any information on the status of the victim. The text of the alert appears below.

Alert: Stabbing at 0229 hrs in the 1300 block of Florida Ave NE. LOF: B/M dark skin, short hair, 5'9"-5'10" wearing a gray and black hooded sweat shirt and black pants. L/S on Florida Ave NE in a gray Infinity sedan.

DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/ EVENT # I20170557436
Sent to 5th District (PSA 501-508) Alert DC
Sent by MPD CAD # 11205

H Street Festival Line-Up Released & an Early Morning Run

They've released the performance line-up for the stages at the H Street Festival. There aren't any times listed, but you can download a pdf of the line-up from the Festival website.

Those of you looking to get an early start on Saturday can join neighbors for the H Street Mile, a short race that starts at 7:30 am. Meet by 7:20 am at 3rd & G Street NE, and bring your own timing device.

Suspect Arrested in 8/23 Murder of Mauricio Fuentes

Police have arrested a suspect in the August 23rd murder of Mauricio Fuentes, who left behind a wife and two children. Fuentes worked construction, and police have said robbery was the apparent motive. Now if you thought this story couldn't get any sadder, you were wrong. The suspect, who is being charged with First Degree Murder, is a 14 year old boy. The full press release is below.

H Street Festival Parking Restrictions

The annual H Street Festival not only means a massive street party with lots of food, music, and drink. It also means street closings, and they start very early. Don't be caught off guard. The following streets will close at 3 am Saturday morning, and will not reopen until about 11 pm Saturday night. Please plan accordingly.

• 400–1300 block of H Street NE (closed to east and westbound traffic)
• F Street NE 4th–14th Street NE (closed to northbound traffic)
• I Street NE 4th–14th Street NE (closed to southbound traffic)

As in years passed, these closing and opening times are approximate and "street closings are subject to change without notice based upon unanticipated events and prevailing conditions."

Streetcar Booth to Offer Face Painting & More During Festival

The streetcar won't run during Saturday's H Street Festival. But the streetcar team will have a booth at 8th & H with face painting, popcorn, and giveaways.

Free Chalk Paint Class at W.S. Jenks & Son Hardware

Looking for something fun to do before the H Street Festival Saturday? Check out this free class on using chalk paint to bring new life to furniture at W. S. Jenks & Son Hardware (910 Bladensburg Road NE). Paula Blankenship of Heirloom Traditions Paint will demonstrate techniques for transforming furniture, as will as offer ideas on how you can also use the paint to create festive decor for fall decorations. That could come in handy with Halloween and Thanksgiving fast approaching. The class will take place at Jenks 10–11 am Saturday. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot online.

Capital Fringe Off H St. Block Party Returns

Ever find that the H Street Festival can get a bit overwhelming and you need a break? If you need a temporary escape head over to Capital Fringe headquarters (1358 Florida Avenue NE) for their Off the H St. Festival Block Party anytime after 4 pm. The courtyard and indoor bars will both be open, and djs Jahsonic and Adrian Loving will provide the music. No cover.

First Meeting of the Langston Civic Association 9/12

Dear Langston Neighbor,

You are invited to attend our first civic association meeting on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 2109 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 from 6-7 PM.

The purpose of this group is to strengthen our bonds as a community and support neighbors working together on projects that benefit ALL​ ​OF​ ​US​ to make a safer and more livable neighborhood.

Celebrate Oktoberfest All Weekend at Wunder Garten (9/22-24)

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Wunder Garten in NoMa (First & L Street NE) September 22nd through 24th. They've got a whole weekend of festivities planned with plenty of live music, fun for the kids, German food, and lots of beer.

Cultivate the City Classes: Drinks & Dirt & DIY Hot Sauce

Cultivate the City has a couple of fun events coming up. On Saturday, Sept 9th (11 am–12 pm) you can learn the tricks to grow perfect peppers, and the basics of preserving those peppers in homemade salsas or hot sauces, or using them to make chili. They'll even have scorpian and ghost peppers on hand for those who really crave heat. Tickets for the one hour class are $20. They'll also host a session of Drinks & Dirt focused on making cocktails with herbs and spices. Learn how to make cocktails and mocktails with your harvest. That one will be Saturday, September 30th (4–5 pm). Tickets are $20, and participants must be at least 21 years of age. Participants will also get discounts on shrubs and other cocktails essentials made at Cultivate's H Street Farms. Both workshops will take place at H Street Farms, on the rooftop of W. S. Jenks & Son Hardware (910 Bladensburg Road NE).

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5D Meeting 9/12

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5D will hold its monthly meeting at MPD's Fifth Headquarters (1805 Bladensburg Road NE) at 7 pm Tuesday, September 12th. I haven't seen an agenda yet.

Trinidad's Art in the Alley Returns Sept. 30 [UPDATE: CANCELED]

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UPDATE

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Sorry guys, I got an update on this earlier today and it's just been canceled. The organizers indicated in their announcement that Art in the Alley will return in 2018, possibly in the spring.

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Mark your calendars now for the Trinidad neighborhood's Art in the Alley on Saturday, September 30th. Art in the Alley is a terrific way for local artists (professional and amateur) to showcase their work, and a fun chance for neighbors to get out and enjoy the art in an informal and friendly setting. Art in the alley takes place in the alley immediately north of the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Florida Avenue NE (just south of Morse Street). The event is free and open to all. They is no fee to submit or display works.

The Village at Sospeso: Pop Up Co-Working & Childcare

Sospeso (1344 H Street) is partnering with Events to a T (founded by Trinidad resident Tracy Leaman) on something new called The Village at Sospeso. If you have a child (or children) up to the age of 5 years around, but need to get a little work done you can head down to Sospeso on Wednesday mornings for co-working with childcare provided 9–11 am. Tickets are $25 for the first child, and $12.50 for any additional kids. That ticket price includes a Stumptown drip coffee and a scone, as well as "childcare with a full program of events for your children, and peace and quiet (which really, is priceless)." Parents can work on the main level, while the kids have fun upstairs with licensed childcare professionals.

The first event is September 13th, but this is a recurring event with additional dates scheduled (tickets for events scheduled through October 4th are currently available at the link above).