Don't Let H Street Festival Related Bus Detours or Parking Restrictions Catch You Off Guard

The H Street Festival is a lot of fun, but there's a ton of logistical planning that goes into making it happen. Parking restrictions, street closures, and bus detours are a necessary evil that aren't a big deal as long as you remember and plan ahead.

Parking restrictions on H Street NE will go into effect at 4am tomorrow morning and remain in place until about 11pm (this could end earlier). During this time you will not be able to park on H Street NE between Fourth Street NE and Florida Ave NE. Emergency No Parking signs should already be posted to alert you.

The H Street Festival is Fast Approaching

The H Street Festival is headed our way this Saturday. That means tons of live music, food, vendors of all sorts. Most businesses will remain open during the festival, but some restaurants may run an abbreviated menu. I don't have a ton of details about what to expect beyond the usual fun from past years, and I think your best bet is to ask or check social media/newsletters from a particular business if you want to know what they have planned. 

Art All Night on H St. NE Sept. 14

The Art All Night website maybe loading slowly, but the schedule of H Street NE events is right here.

WBJ: Hechinger Mall Finds a Buyer

Hechinger Mall in a 2018 image from Google Streetview

The Washington Business Journal reported yesterday that MRP Realty and JM Zell Partners have sign a contract to purchase the 8.6 acre Hechinger Mall site at 1518 Benning Road NE from Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. This is really big development news for the eastern end of the H Street NE Corridor, where many advocates have long hoped to see the site of the aging strip mall redeveloped. Hechinger Mall officially opened June 12, 1981 (HECHINGER MALL II THE STRUGGLE, Washington Post, Nov. 12, 1990).

Interested in Volunteering for the H Street Festival?

This year’s H Street Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 21. The festival brings visitors from near and far, and is a massive operation. Volunteers play a vital role in helping make sure things run smoothly in the big day. If you have an interest in pitching in, head down to tomorrow’s volunteer info session from 6:30-8pm (Tuesday, Aug. 6) at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. NE).

Special Releases & Plinko for Craft Beer Cellar's Birthday

Craft Beer Cellar (301 H St. NE) is celebrating its 3rd birthday tomorrow with some special limited release beers and a Plinko Board game where you can win swag and artwork. Starting at 10am you can get crowlers of Horus Aged Ales Hazelnut Harris and Triple Crossing Mosaic Triangles. At 10am and 2pm they will release the following beers (half the bottles in the morning, and half in the afternoon. Limits will apply.

• Drie Fonteinen: (Cuvee Armand & Gaston, Oude Geuze) 
• Frederiksdal (Rancio PX, Late Bottled) 
• Barrel-aged Fremont (Rusty Nail, B-Bomb, Coconut B-Bomb, Dark Star, Dark Star Spice Wars) 
• Struise (Black Damnatoin XXVI - Froggie, Dark Horse Reserva) 
• Bellwoods (Farmageddon Cherry, Grandma's Boy, Peach MOG) 
• Plan Bee (Surf & Turf, Karnevel, BeeRoo, Precious) 
• Pohjala (BA Oo, CocoBanger, Karneval, Port Over Easy (collab with Jester King))

Play Life-Sized BINGO on Union Market's Rooftop

Head over to Union Market (1309 Fifth St. NE) Sunday, July 28 from 6–9pm, for a playful interactive art exhibition featuring works by District-based artist Maggie O'Neill. O'Neill's Let's Play is inspired by nostalgia and a love of BINGO, and the evening will offer the chance to play a life-sized version of the familiar game. There will also be traditional-sized BINGO, as well as other games, raffles, live entertainment, and prizes. Food and drink will be available for purchase. The festivities will take place on the rooftop of Union Market.

A portion of the sales of all artwork will go to Children's National, a highly ranked children's hospital and health system in the District with care locations throughout the metro area. Tickets are free, and you can RSVP through eventbrite.

Father and Son Found Dead in Queen Street NE Home identified.

Police identified the father and son found dead inside an apartment in the 1100 block of Queen Street NE as 17 year-old Ahkii Washington-Scuggs and 57 year-old Hugh Washington. According to the press release, police responded at 5:49pm Friday to a report of two unconscious males at the address. Neither victim was conscious, and both had gunshot wounds. When emergency responders were unable to find signs consistent with life the transported the victims to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. From just reading the press release you might assume that the wounds were sustained close in time to the MPD visit, but that doe not necessarily seem to be the case.

Bladensburg Road Grows a Little Greener with Little Wild Things

W.S. Jenks & Son Hardware (910 Bladensburg Road NE) announced yesterday that Little Wild Things, an urban farming operation that specializes in microgreens, shoots, and edible flowers, will set up shop in an unused portion of the Jenks building (906 Bladensburg Road NE). The full press release appears below, but this is an exciting development in that builds on the presence of Cultivate the City's H Street Farms, located on the roof of Jenks. It's also a welcome addition to the stretch of Bladensburg Road NE that separates Trinidad from Carver-Langston. On the stretch was once known largely for used car lots and automotive repair shops, some have floated the idea of revitalization as a sort of garden district.

Jerry Siegiel, president of Jenks, explained “Given the success we have had with Cultivate the City on our roof, the opportunity to add another urban farm to our building was a natural fit.” He added “We enjoy our role in the neighborhood, and we like bringing other businesses into the fold. Particularly, unique business like these farms that not only provide goods and services, but also a blueprint for sustainable living practices.”

WaPo: Deaf-Owned Pizzeria to Open on H Street NE

Rendering of the Baldwin from the building's website

The Washington Post reports that Mozzeria, a Deaf-owned restaurant serving pizza, is headed to 1300 H St. NE. Mozzeria comes to us from two San Francisco-based Gallaudet graduates who run an eatery of the same name in California. The couple do not plan to relocate, but will bring their concept of employing an entirely Deaf staff to their Mozzeria's second location. There's an interesting back story here. Co-owner Melody Stein was once rejected by the California Culinary Academy because she is Deaf, something the school viewed as impractical for someone working in a restaurant kitchen.

Mozzeria seems like a natural fit for H Street NE, already a popular hub for our local Deaf community. Patrons who don't know ASL will be able to order by pointing to menu items, or writing down their choices with the paper and pen available at every table.

The menu will vary a bit from the one offered in the Mission District location, but will be focused on Neopolitan-style pies cooked in a wood-fired oven. We can expect both traditional options like the Margharita D.O.P., and more novel topping combinations including toppings like pear and Peking duck. The San Francisco menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.

Mozzeria's new location, which the WaPo article says is anticipated to open in 2020, is in the Baldwin building that stands on the former site of R. L. Christian Library.

Plant-Based Burgers Don't Disappoint at Bubbie's Plant Burgers & Fizz

The Monkey Wrench

It took a second attempt (the first time I tried they had sold out to a large crowd gathered for the UEFA Champions League Final), but I was finally able to try Bubbie's Plant Burgers & Fizz. Bubbie's currently operates out of the kitchen at Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H St NE). If you want to try their plant-based take on classic American burgers you'll need to visit on a Thursday (6–9pm), Friday or Saturday night (6–10pm). You can order from any of the bars on any floor of the Hotel. You can also now order through Bubbie's website for pick-up.

Man Stabbed in Both Legs During Robbery Wednesday Night

MPD officers responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1600 block of Rosedale Street NE late Wednesday (11:25pm) and found a man suffering from stab wounds to both legs. According to an email from Fifth District Lt. Jeffrey Kopp, the victim told police that two men had approached him while he was walking. The two men had proceeded to attack him and take his wallet before leaving the scene on foot. The victim's injuries were not life threatening, and he was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He provided the following description of his assailants:

• Suspect 1 - Black male, 28-29 years of age, 6'1", 185 lbs., full beard, wearing a gray jacket, black hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans.
• Suspect 2 - Black male, adult, wearing a multi color hat and blue jeans.

Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar Returns to Dangerously Delicious Pies Tomorrow

Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar is back at Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St. NE) tomorrow (June 27) from 7:30–9:30pm. What sounds like the beginning of a rather bad joke is actually a fun program created by the Fleet Science Center in San Diego that LabX now brings to DC. During Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar®, local scientists enjoy something we all appreciate: a good conversation in a local bar. Head down to the pie shop, order a slice of drink (or both), and look for the sign that reads “We are scientists. Ask us anything!” The scientists this time around are focused on environmental microbiology and marine biology. You don't need a ticket, and you don't need to register. You just need your natural curiosity.

It you do ask a scientist, you can share your experience on social media with the hashtag #2scientists, and tagging @labxNAS. This is one of several DC area Two Scientists events taking place tomorrow, and the area of focus varies by location.

You can read about previous Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar events in this Washington Post article These nerdy happy hour gatherings will teach you about witches, chemistry and the mysteries of the universe. If you are a scientist who wants to participate in future Two Scientists events you can send an email to labx[at]nas.edu.

DDOT's Interim Plan to Fix a Stretch of Florida Ave NE

DDOT map showing the full project area

Greater Greater Washington has a story on the District Department of Transportation's interim efforts to abate some of the dangerous conditions on Florida Avenue NE. For greater detail you can take a look at DDOT's materials from the June 20th open house. Plans have been in the works (albeit moving slowly) to fix Florida Avenue NE for years. Due in part to public outcry and a series of recent crashes, DDOT has begun implementing temporary measures to address the issue. You've probably noticed some of the pylons DDOT has placed at certain locations along the corridor, but construction on interim measures is set to begin in earnest next month. As described in both the meeting materials and the GGW post, the changes will include repurposing an existing travel lane in each direction between 3rd Street and West Virginia Avenue NE, and repurposing an existing travel/off-peak parking lane in each direction between West Virginia Avenue and Staples Street NE. The hope is that the interim improvements will help to "address safety concerns along the corridor by reducing vehicle speeds, improving pedestrian crossings, and providing protected bicycle infrastructure."

Unfortunately, we'll still have to wait a while before the full project can come to fruition. The Florida Avenue NE Multimodal Project is still in the final design phase and will then move to the procurement phase, with construction slated to begin in spring of 2021.

Two Stabbings & an Assault Involving a Knife in Our Area Yesterday

We apparently had three assaults involving knives in the area yesterday, but I only see alerts for two of those. An alert went out yesterday at 11:10am for a stabbing in the 1700 block of Benning Road NE. The original alert (below) contained a lookout, but I don't have any information on the status of the victim.

Stabbing Investigation in the 1700 block of Benning Rd NE. Lookout for B/M, 20'S, 5'9", Tall, medium complexion, full beard, long dreadlocks, light blue jeans, and a Carolina blue shirt. 
DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/ EVENT #I20190365580
Sent to 5th District (PSA 501-508) Alert DC 
Sent by MPD Cad # 5010

Mark The Eleanor's Birthday with a New England-Style Shrimp Boil

Photo courtesy of The Eleanor

The Eleanor (100 Florida Ave. NE) will host a New England-style shrimp boil to celebrate the restaurant's first birthday. The boil will take place 2–6pm on Saturday, June 22. Chef Adam Stein and crew will serve up a menu of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob, and hushpuppies. You can wash it down with pitchers of Narragansett Lager. The $45 deal (not including tax and tip, reservations required) includes unlimited game play in the arcade, and they'll also have some fun giveaways. You can make reservations through their website, or by calling (202) 758-2235. The Eleanor boasts classic arcade games, skee ball, mini bowling, and other fun diversions. It's conveniently located very near the NoMa metro stop (they also have free parking).

Kids & Teens Can Eat Free Through the DC Free Summer Meals Program

The D.C. Free Summer Meals Program is in full swing serving free meals to all children ages 18 and younger. You do not need to fill out an application to receive a meal. Just head to one of the sites during service hours. Note that hours and days do vary by site. Not all sites will serve all summer long, but some sites will serve meals through August 23.

This year kids can receive meals at more than 250 sites across all eight wards. In a press release Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn explained how it works. “No questions asked. No matter where you go, all meals are free for any child and no ID, forms, or personal information is required.”

Celebrate Summer at Cultivate the City's DC Strawberry Festival this Saturday (6/15)

Cultivate the City is hosting the inaugural D.C. Strawberry Festival this Saturday at H Street Farms on the roof of W.S. Jenks & Son Hardware (910 Bladensburg Road NE) and it's going to be quite the family/pet friendly occasion. The event celebrates Cultivate's early summer strawberry harvest, urban agriculture, and food access in the tradition of rural strawberry festivals across the country.

Hosted at H St. Farms on the rooftop of W.S. Jenks, they will have a full day of fun contests, classes, cooking, games and, of course, lots of strawberries. Local vendors and community members will be there too. W.S. Jenks and Son is hosting a concurrent Green Egg Dealer Day from 11am–2pm so there will be food available for all during this time. All registered attendees are eligible for 10 percent off any Big Green Egg products. The promotion runs through 6/22. You must sign up and attend the event to qualify for the discount.

Trinidad Neighborhood Clean-Up Followed by Combined ANC SMD Meeting Saturday (6/15)

Trinidad neighbors are invited to come out this Saturday for June's monthly neighborhood clean-up. Meet at the corner of Montello Avenue and Neal Street NE at 8:30am. You should bring your own gloves, but the organizers will provide the bags (plus coffee and bagels). It should be easy to spot folks with trash bags if you are running late, or just can't commit to the full two hours. Feel free to bring the whole family out. The plan is to pick up trash until 10:30am, and then those interested can head to the Trinidad Rec. Center (1310 Childress St. NE) for an 11am combined Single Member District meeting of the ANC 5D commissioners with districts that include Trinidad. The combined SMD meeting takes place at the Trinidad Rec. the third Saturday of each month. Clean-ups take place before each meeting, but the location varies.

DDOT Florida Avenue NE Interim Safety Improvement Open House 6/20

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host an open house to present the design for the Florida Avenue NE interim safety improvements on Thursday, June 20 from 7–8:30pm. The purpose of the project is to address safety concerns along the corridor by reducing vehicle speeds, improving pedestrian crossings, and providing protected bicycle infrastructure.