Wholesale

Click on the photo for a larger version. This really is a cool old building.

Pap & Petey's Upcoming Events

H Street's newest addition kicks off the live musical performances.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Timmy Sparkle & Abu
*Acoustic Guitar & Drum
*Performing from 9:15pm to 11:15pm
*No cover or drink/check minimum

Friday, March 7, 2008
The Mike Gillespie Trio
*Jazz Flute with accompaniment
*Performing from 9:00pm to Midnight
*Drink/check minimum: $15.00 per seat

What's Up at 707 H?

You may have noticed something going on at the former dollar store. I'm not sure what, if any, the specific plans are, but they do appear to be renovating. Anyone have a line on this one? Just to be clear, I'm talking about the nice gray building next to Alex Seafood Carryout.

SOVA's New Hours

These new hours take effect on Monday March 10th.

Mon-Thurs 6:30am-12am
Fri-Sat 7am-2am
Sun 8am-11pm

They will start serving alcohol at 4pm during the week and 11am on weekends.

Hill Rag: Moore, Moore, Moore!

The Hill Rag raves about Dr. Granville's. Download the pdf to see the photos.

Pap and Petey's Specials Tonight

I'm told Pap and Petey's is running an election night special tonight. They will be serving Blue State Blue Hawaiis or Raspberry Red State Margaritas for 5 dollars a pop. So stop by and check out H Street's newest attraction. Pap and Petey's is located at 421 H Street. They open at 5pm 7 days a week.

SOVA's Wine and Beer List

Here is SOVA's starting line-up for the wine bar that will open on Monday. They will have food as well, but that won't be for about another month because they need to purchase some additional refrigeration equipment and work out a few details.

Wines -
R Wines (Barossa Valley, Austrailia ) Pure Evil Chardonnay 2005
R Wines (Barossa Valley, Austrailia) Evil Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Rudolf Muller (Mosel, Germany) Riesling Kabinett 2005
Colosi (Sicily,Italy) Sicilia Rosso 2005
Altos de la Hoya (Valencia area, Spain) Monastrell 2006
Lurton Araucano (Colchagua, Chile) Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Bodegas Emina (Ribera De Duero, Spain) Tempranillo 2005
Valle Escondido (Argentina) Malbec 2005
Huber (Hugo, Austria) Gruner Veltliner 2006
Lawson's (Marlborough, New Zealand) Gewurztraminer 2005
La Sera (Piedmont, Italy) Red Malvasia di Casorzo 2007
Starry Night (Lodi, California) Zinfandel 2006
Monarchia Vylyan (Villany, Hungary) Mini Evolution (Bordeaux Blend) 2004
Keesha (Matra, Hungary) Pinot Grigio 2005
Burgundy Hills (Burgundy, France) Pinot Noir 2006
Mulderbosch (Stellenbosch, South Africa) Chenin Blanc 2007

Beers -
Delirium, Tremens, Strong Pale Ale (Brouwerij, Belgium)
Chimay, Blue Grand Reserve, Strong Dark Ale (Notre Dame Abbey of Scourmont, Belgium)
Morland, Old Speckled Hen English Fine Ale (Suffolk, England)
Bells, Kalamazoo Stout (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
Victory, Prima Pils, German Pilsner (Downington, Pennsylvania)
Brooklyn, Pennant Ale, American Pale Ale (NYC)
Rogue, Chocolate Stout (22 oz bottle) (Newport, Oregon)
Bear Republic, Racer 5, India Pale Ale (Sonoma, California)
Lagunitas, Czech Style Pilsner (Petaluma, California)
North Coast, Old Rasputin, Russian Imperial Stout (Mendocino, California)

In Shaw: Obeng

The first in a planned series on different retail merchants at the Florida Market. In this edition the blogger behind In Shaw visits Obeng, a store that specializes in African foods.

Argo is Hiring

The Argonaut is now hiring for the following positions:

Part time Front Of House Manager
Full or Part Time Servers
Part Time Food Runner/ Bus Person/ Barback
Full Time Dishwasher

Please email Scott@argonautdc.com, or stop by and fill out an application.


Scott Magnuson
GM/Owner
Argonaut Tavern

Opening Night @Pap & Petey's

Here is a shot of the owner conversing with a neighbor.
Here are a few cell phone shots sent in by Alan Kimber.

Two Area Shootings in 5-D

From the listserv:

5d has a report of adult male shot in back but he drove himself to hospital..he reports this occurred at trinidad and simms pl ne..5d did get call for gunshots and are canvassing for crime scene ...anyone with information please call 7279099


5d currently on scene of an adult male shot in the 1800 blk of H PL, NE - -he is shot in leg and no lookout has been given...pending further investigation!! Anyone with information please contact us 727 9099

RCA Meeting Tonight

Email announcement:

Hello neighbor!

The Rosedale Citizens Alliance will have its next meeting this Monday,
March 3rd at 7:30PM. We'll be at Cafe Roma, our neighborhood's new
Italian bakery/coffee shop, located at 411 18th ST NE. It is a small
space, but we want everyone to get a chance to see it. So come
expecting to squeeze in!

The meeting will focus on the state of the neighborhood, covering such
issues as traffic, recreation, the community garden, neighborhood
beautification, commerical development, and anything else anyone wants
to bring up. We'll have a roundtable discussion that will result in
RCA's goals for the coming months.

We hope to see you there!
-Rick Uzes
President, RCA

A Message from Joe Englert

Here it is in his own words:
If there are any readers out there whom want to open a business, buy a property, have a business plan they need help with, etc, I would be willing to help them out any way I can. So would many other stake holders on the street.

Contact info for Joe Englert is as follows:
joe[at]dcpanic.net
number for text messages only 202-258-0356

SOVA's Wine Bar to open March 10th?

SOVA now has their liquor license, is finishing up some last minute prep work upstairs, and training staff in anticipation of a Monday March 10th opening for the 2nd floor wine bar. Don't forget that SOVA already operates as a top notch coffee shop both during the day and at night. SOVA is located at 1359 H Street.

More Jazz and Blues Now on H

Photo by Will. All rights reserved
The long awaited Pap and Petey's [link plays music] opened its doors (for a soft opening) last night. I was unable to attend, but perhaps a few of you made it and might like to share. Pap and Petey's is located at 421 H Street. They will be open daily from 5pm.

Brunch @NAPA

NAPA 1015 will begin serving Sunday brunch March 9th. The brunch hours will be 10am-2pm. NAPA is located at 1015 H Street.

XII To Open Soon

According to a comment left by Twelve owner Bernard Gibson XII Restaurant and Lounge may open in less than a month. Twelve is located at 1123 H Street. Check out their website.

Draft Minutes 2/7/08 ANC-5B

These are just draft minutes, but because there is a public meeting next Thursday I thought people might be interested.

Public Meeting
Washington Center for Aging Services
2601 18th Street, NE

Minutes February 7, 2008

I. CALL TO ORDER…………………………………..Chairperson William C. Shelton

II. SILENT MEDITATION

III. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM………………………Recording Secretary
Elise Bernard
Commissioners Present: Shelton [01], Woodland [04], Davis [05], Hooper [07], Bernard [08], Manning [09], Henderson [10], Myers [11]

Commissioners Absent: Brown-Daniels [02], Chandler [03], Lawson [06], Paul [12]

8/12 commissioners present.

IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA………………………….ANC-5B COMMISSIONERS
Motion to approve agenda made by Chairperson Shelton
Seconded by Commissioner Hooper
8 commissioners for and none opposed. Motion passed.

V. GUEST SPEAKERS
a. Marc Buscaino from Casey Trees
i. Casey Trees is relocating its current K Street location to just off 12th
Street in Brookland. The new location will be a mix of an existing building and new construction. Smith Group Architects will handle the planning.
b. Councilmember Kwame Brown stopped by for a brief visit.
c. Ayawna Chase from Councilmember Harry Thomas’ office discussed the
upcoming Ward 5 Economic Development Summit. She has been working with a group of young adults on job seeking skills. She also provided updates on recent legislation, and briefly discussed the school closing issue.
d. Richard Evans the Ward 5 DPR liaison
i. Mr. Evans can be reached at his office number 202-727-5502, or his mobile number 202-316-3707.
e. Ms. Harper from CSOSA
ii. CSOSA is always looking for community service projects for their
offenders. Community groups can contact CSOSA for assistance with neighborhood clean-ups and other such projects.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
a. Motion to approve resolution to participate in the ANC Security Fund
i. Motion made by Commissioner Hooper
ii. Seconded by Commissioner Davis
iii. 8 commissioners for and none opposed
VII. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:15
a. Motion made by Commissioner Shelton
b. Seconded by Commissioner Myers.

Argo's New Menu

The menu:

Our goal is to bring you seasonal menus featuring organic or local produce, naturally-raised meats, responsibly-caught fish and seafood, and artisan cheeses and breads.

Seasonal chowder & soup $5/$8
New England white clam chowder – potatoes, cream, and bacon – melba toast
Norfolk She-Crab sherried cream of crab soup – paprika – melba toast
Arborio aromatic tomato cream soup – Italian rice – parmesan toast

Appetizers
Shrimp Rolls shrimp, lemongrass, scallion, basil, daikon radish, and cabbage rolled in rice paper; Scotch bonnet chutney $8

Weisswurst German sausage wrapped in puff pastry; Heidelberg mustard and cornichons
$8

Beer Board cedar-grilled lamb sausage, smoked duck breast, Emmentaler cheese salad; lingonberry preserves and melba toasts $10

Calamari fried crispy and lightly dusted with fenugreek, chili powder, fennel pollen; tzatziki sauce $9

Caponata Sicilian eggplant, olive and walnut relish; goat cheese toasts $8


Salads $7
Panzanella toasted bread, tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, radicchio, romaine lettuce and red onion; tossed in olive oil, herbed vinegar, parmesan cheese

Avocado with oil-cured olives, pickled onion;
hot baguette and citrus aioli

Country mixed greens with Danish bleu cheese, baby beets, pickled red onion, and hot-spiced walnuts; Champagne vinaigrette

Entrées
Fried Green Tomatoes $10
organic ale-battered and cornmeal-crusted green tomatoes; cheddar grits and
chow-chow relish rémoulade

Wild Mushrooms and Pappardelle $14
drunken Italian wide noodles with wild mushrooms; parmesan cream

Gnocchi in Brown Butter $13
gnocchi with fresh basil gremolata, grilled tomato, and shaved parmesan

Wood-fired New York Strip (12 oz) $20
with onion confit and garlic fingerling fries; maître d’hotel butter

Wood-fired Spiced Salmon $14
with horseradish potato salad and rhotekraut

Organic Ale-Battered Cod $14
with garlic fingerling fries and crispy leeks lemon curry sauce

Fish Tacos $10
crispy tilapia with salsa cruda and rémoulade; cabbage-cilantro slaw and avocado

Smoked Pork Loin Chop $16
peppered, slow-roasted and finished on the grill; with rhotekraut and sweet corn crème
brûlée
Shrimp & Grits $15
Scotch bonnet chutney-glazed; cheddar grits and chow-chow relish

Dessert
Rum Pineapple Trifle $6
Gosling’s Dark Rum-spiked butter cake layered with vanilla custard, pineapple, and whipped cream


Kids Menu $4
Chicken tenders (2) with regular fries, fruit, or salad
Grilled cheese (white cheddar) with regular fries, fruit, or salad
4 oz Argo burger with regular fries, fruit, or salad
Hot dog (100% Black Angus beef) with regular fries, fruit, or salad
Macaroni & cheese (small)


Pub Fare
Appetizers
Fries (served with lemon curry sauce and coriander aioli) $5
Sweet Potato Fries
Garlic Fingerling Fries fresh,chopped garlic, parsley, and sea salt
Pommes Frites long, skinny, and very crispy
Wings (Buffalo or Barbecue) twelve wings, cucumber & celery; Danish bleu cheese dressing $8
Collard Greens $5


Sandwiches (with your choice of regular/sweet potato fries or side salad)
Argo Burger $8.50
half-pound of ground beef, grilled, with lettuce, tomato, and red onion; brioche roll
white cheddar, Emmentaler, smoked mozzarella, or gorgonzola $1
Vegetarian Burger
shredded mushroom and vegetable patty with smoked mozzarella, roasted red peppers,
mixed greens, and coriander aioli; brioche roll
Jerk Chicken $8.50
jerk-marinated chicken breast, grilled, with lettuce, tomato, and red onion; brioche roll
Pulled Pork $8.50
Carolina-style shredded pulled pork; brioche roll; coleslaw
Cubano $8.50
citrus- and spice-rubbed pork, roasted & smoked ham; Emmentaler cheese, pickles and mustard Cuban roll
Fried Green Tomato BLT $8.50
organic ale-battered and cornmeal-crusted green tomatoes with lettuce, tomato, and applewood smoked bacon; sourdough bread
without bacon $7
Grilled Cheese & Tomato $6.50
white cheddar and tomato; sourdough bread
with bacon $8

Dr. Granville's on the Food Network

Some very exciting news comes to us from Dr. Granville's. Apparently H Street's little Belgian Gastropub is going to be featured on an episode of a new Food Network show called America Eats. Chef Teddy Folkman says that on March 17th the television crew will be filming the dinner service and interviewing guests. Dr. Granville's will be running a $10 moules special and knocking $1 off all drafts for the evening. Dr. Granville's is located at 1238 H Street. Check out the audition video [keep in mind they are trying to sell themselves to the show].

Cafe Roma Opens in Rosedale

I'm going to stretch the blog boundaries a bit to point your attention towards Cafe Roma, a new Italian bakery and Cafe located at 411 18th Street. I received a couple of emails about this a week or so ago and I meant to put it in the recent what's new post...but it slipped my mind. At any rate you can read more about Cafe Roma on the Rosedale Citzen Alliance's blog. Their post also features some photos that are sure to have you making the trek even on a cold day like today.

Gutting Bud's?

I recently noticed, but keep forgetting to mention, a large dumpster sitting outside Bud's Restaurant and Nightclub in the Florida Market. I don't have any info outside of what I'm seeing here. Does anyone have anything better to share?

NYT Change In Harlem

Hotmail appears to be down completely for the time being so I'll offer this recent story from the New York Times on the transformation of Harlem. The particular focus is on the impact of more affluent Blacks who have moved to the area. The article is well written and, I think, significantly more nuanced than what the Post seems to turn out on the topic of gentrification. It also addresses an aspect of the topic that too many people somehow miss.

Recent Developments

1. A corner store/deli is expected on the southwestern corner of 4th and H.

2. This one is from the 6A ABL Committee minutes. A new tavern, Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar, seeks to open in the 1100 block of H. The minutes give the address as 1108, but I've heard 1104, so I'm not certain. The first floor will be loungy space, but things may pick up a bit on the second floor where a dj will sometimes spin. The too tiny for a kitchen, the un-themed tavern will offer a short menu of sandwiches. The tavern will be co-owned by familiar faces Mark Thorpe and Kelly Sheeran. Both live in the neighborhood. Mr. Thorpe is a partial owner of Jimmy Valentine's on Bladensburg, and Ms. Sheeran tends bar at the Rock and Roll Hotel.

3. Spoiled and Rotten Kids Boutique and Spa will occupy the second floor of 1204 H Street. The owner of Philadelphia Water Ice Factory, Khadijah Bronson, brings you this spot to take the tykes to pick out new clothing, or when they need manicures or pedicures. The push is for a spring opening. More info on this project is forthcoming.

4. A long vacant building in the middle of the 1300 block is now undergoing a renovation. No news on the plans.

Shooting at 15th and Benning

5D is reporting a shooting in the 1500 block of Benning. The victim suffered a gunshot to the stomach and was rushed to the hospital.

DCmud: Washington Gateway

An update on the Washington Gateway project at the intersection of New York and Florida.

Pirates of Penzance @the Atlas

The Washington Savoyards’ Pirates of Penzance is opening this weekend at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The Washington Post’s Weekend section highlighted it as a top pick for the weekend.

Wednesday the 27^th all tickets are $10! Call the box office at 202.399.7993 and mention this or go to www.atlasarts.org and use the discount code ATLAS10.

And listen to Metro Connection on 88.5 WAMU tomorrow at 5am (!) to hear a Stephanie Kaye piece on the show….

Pirates of Penzance will run Saturday February 23^rd- Sunday March 9^th

The Savoyards Annual Gala will be held on February 29^th (Leap Day and a major plot twist in the show) For more info on the Gala/Birthday party can be found here http://www.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=96246

l

The celebration continues at the Pirates of Penzance Family Day,
March 1 at the 2:30 performance,
with special events and toys for the kids.
After the show, enjoy a special Pirates of Penzance menu at the
ARGONAUT TAVERN
1433 H Street, NE

Buy tickets online for the Gala and all performances or call the box office at 202.399.7993.
For FAMILY DAY tickets, please call the box office.

Reader Question

I'm not familiar with this one. Does anyone have any info?
Any word on what was going down last night, on 11th Street between H and Florida? Lots of fire trucks around 7-8pm.

In Shaw: Popping Up All Over

One of these things is not like the other ones
In Shaw looks at pop-ups and neighbors with height differences to further her argument that not all pop-ups have to be bad.

Florida Market Tour Saturday

Get details here.
A few basics:
1. if you want Korean/Salvadorian/American breakfast meat at Young's [300 Morse Street] at 9:15;
2. 10am at the intersection of 4th and Morse [along the fence next to the vacant lot] if you don't want breakfast;
3. bring cash if you plan to purchase things [which you should do after the tour, not during];
4. there are bathrooms available;
5. wear comfortable shoes;
6. hopefully this tour will feature brief commentary by Paul Pascal, from the Market's merchants' association [and the Capitol Hill BID].

The Florida Market is also known as the Capital City Market.

40 Acres @The Atlas

Tribute Productions presents a staged reading

40 Acres: The Reparations Play

by Robert Alexander

directed by Mary Hall Surface

March 7 @ 7:30 pm
March 8 @ 7:30 pm
March 9 @ 2:00 pm

Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street, NE

A corporate lawyer is stunned by the news that his parents are plaintiffs in a law suit seeking reparations for broken promises made to African Americans after the Civil War.

Cast:

Holly Twyford, Chris Wilson, Frederick L. Strother, Jr., Beverly Cosham, and David Emerson Toney

A post show discussion with the cast and special guests will follow each reading. The reading is open to the public. Reservations accepted with $3 donation to the Atlas. All proceeds benefit the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

For reservations, call 202.399.7993

For more information, visit http://www.atlasarts.org

Dr. Raymond Winbush, author of Should America Pay, will be in attendance at the Friday reading for a postshow discussion with the cast.

DCist: So You Think You Can Dance

DCist covers tomorrow's auditions for the Fox show. Auditions runs from 8am-8pm and will be held at the Atlas Performing Arts Center [1333 H Street]. A representative from the Atlas stated that “[t]he line is going to go from in front of the Atlas, past the dance studios and down 13th to G.”

Ethiopia Reads @Sidamo

An event of interest [photos from the press release:

Meet children’s author Jane Kurtz
and support Ethiopia Reads

Come hear Jane tell her story of growing up in Ethiopia, how it influenced her writing and the development of the NGO Ethiopia Reads. Jane’s books - Only A Pigeon, the Lion’s Tail (Amharic/English version) and Saba will be available for purchase. Dual language Amharic/English books - The Beekeeper of Lalibela, Fafi’s Sheep and Silly Mammo will also be available. The kitchen at Sidamo will be open for your convenience.

Saturday, March 1, 2008 -- 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Sidamo Coffee and Tea
417 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
For further information, please contact Catie Dupont.
Catie@EthiopiaReads.org or call 571-243-1411.

Ward 5 Econ Development Summit Saturday

Here is the press release from Harry Thomas' office.

Dear Ward 5 Residents:

Please mark your calendar now to attend the Ward 5 Economic Development Summit on Saturday, February 23, from 10 am to 2:45 pm. The Summit will be held at Caldwell Hall on the Catholic University campus. Lunch will be provided.

I have planned a dynamic agenda for the Summit, including:

• A panel discussion on Stimulating Neighborhood Economic Development, moderated by Ward 5 Planner Deborah Crain. Panelists include the following: Steve Moore, WDC Economic Partnership; Derrick Woody, Great Streets initiative; Phyllis Love, Restore DC's Main Street initiative; Vinnie Wolhfarth, Brookland CDC/Brookland Main Street; Pat Mitchell, North Capitol Main Street; and Ana Harvey, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• A mini-workshop on Negotiating Community Benefits, moderated by Collaboration DC's Mary Jacksteit.
• An afternoon breakout session at which you will be able to meet with and ask questions of developers with projects in Ward 5. Each developer will have a table. To-date, developers for the following projects have RSVPed: Rhode Island Station; Arbor Place, McMillan Reservior; Art Space at Fort Totten; Armed Forces Retirement Home; New Town at Capital City Market; St Paul's Townhome project; and the 3oth Street Townhome project; among others.

I look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions, call my office at 202.724.8028.

Sincerely,

Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr.

Ward 5 Councilmember

More on the Noise Bill

I didn't have time to update the site last night, but here's a bit more info.

Reaction from Quest For Quiet. Quest For Quiet's news round-up.

Press Release: February 19, 2008

Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells

Immediate Release Contact: Charles Allen
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 408 (202) 724-8072
Washington, D.C. 20004

Legislation to Provide Resident Relief from Amplified Noise Tabled Indefinitely by Council

(Washington, DC) – The Council voted 7-5 today to table indefinitely the “Noise Control Protection Amendment Act of 2008.” The legislation, co-introduced by Councilmembers Tommy Wells, Mary Cheh and Kwame Brown, would have created reasonable protections for residents within their homes from amplified noise. Unlike other major cities, DC law does not regulate the volume and intensity of non-commercial amplified noise in the day-time.

“I’m disappointed. It’s tough to stand up against special interests,” commented Mr. Wells. “We worked hard with residents and labor leaders open to a solution to find a fix that is fair and provides some neighborhood protections. I’m disappointed more of my colleagues didn’t side with fairness for our residents, but I’ll continue working to change their minds.”

The proposed bill would maintain Washington, DC as one of the most liberal and permissive jurisdictions in the country. A review of noise ordinances for the cities of New York, Boston, San Diego, Maimi and Los Angeles showed that each has more restrictive laws that what had been proposed in this legislation.

The Noise Control Protection Amendment Act of 2008 seeks to balance First Amendment rights and protections, with the rights of residents to enjoy quiet in their homes and protect their hearing from lasting damage. Going above and beyond First Amendment protections found in other jurisdictions, with this bill, non-commercial public speech measured above 70 decibels, or 10 decibels greater than ambient noise, would only constitute a noise disturbance if it were also found to be excessive under the “reasonable person” standard as defined by DC law. DC’s Attorney General has reviewed this proposal and believes it represents a Constitutionally sound approach that balances the protection of free speech and protection for residents.

The proposed measure had the support of ANC 6A and 6C, the Hillcrest Civic Association in Ward 7, the Penn Quarter Civic Association and Downtown Neighborhood Association in Wards 2 and 6, the Woodland Normanstone Neighborhood Association in Ward 3, and labor unions SEIU 32BJ and SEIU 500, representing thousands of working men and women in DC.

Councilmembers Tommy Wells, Mary Cheh, David Catania, Marion Barry and Carol Schwartz voted against tabling the bill.

CP Noise Bill Tabled

City Paper reports that the noise bill that went before the Council was tabled without debate. Expect reaction to be forthcoming on Quest For Quiet.

A Message From the Atlas

Greetings Atlas Neighbors!

The HIT Fox TV show So You Think You Can Dance is holding auditions at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on Thursday February 21st beginning at 8am.

The producers estimate between 300 and 1200 dancers will be auditioning but there is no way of knowing ahead of time.

The doors will open at 8am and they assume they will be done by 8pm. We will have additional security on the premises who will not allow a line to form before 6am.

The Metropolitan Police Department has been notified and will be keeping an eye on thing. Atlas and Fox TV staff will be on hand to ensure the area is kept clean and litter free.

We are very excited to be able to share the Atlas and the emerging H Street Arts and Entertainment District with a national audience.

More information about So You Think You Can Dance can be found on http://www.fox.com/dance/showinfo/casting2008.htm

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Jen DeMayo, Atlas Performing Arts Center Director of Communications 202.399.7993 ext 125 or at jdemayo@atlasarts.org

Lu Holiday Corp.

In the Florida Market.

Reminder: Tonight's Heritage Trail Mtg

7pm at the Atlas
1333 H Street
This is a great chance to get involved with your community while learning about its past and sharing memories of the area.

Quest For Quiet Update

The Council is poised to final consider the bill that would close the loophole that currently allows for the amplified speech that takes place all day at 8th and H Streets most Saturdays.

Here are some recent news stories on the issue:

QUEST FOR QUIET ON H STREET HITS SNAG -Roll Call 2/11/08
Discusses opposition to the bill from the AFL-CIO, which worries it could interfere with union protests.

BILL AIMS TO QUIET NOISE LEVELS -Washington Times 2/7/08
An informational story with commentary on the noise restrictions from Councilmember Mary Cheh. Cheh is a professor of constitutional law and, along with Councilmember Tommy Wells, a co-introducer of the bill.

MAKE NOISE -Georgetown University Voice 2/7/08
An opinion piece opposing the legislation because the author believes it infringes on free speech rights.

DC Consider Limiting dB -DCist 2/5/08
A general piece restating the issues and giving a bit of history.


Here are some groups that have recently expressed support for the bill:
* Hillcrest Community Civic Association
* Downtown Neighborhood Association
* Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association
* Woodland Normanstone Neighborhood Association
* H Street Main Street
* Service Employees International Union 32BJ
* Service Employees International Union Local 500
* Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A
* Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6C

For full coverage and updates check out Quest For Quiet.
For those wishing to show support for the neighbors at 8th and H David Klavitter, the blogger behind Quest for Quiet, offers the following:

Please urge your councilmember and the at-large members to support the bill with amendments. The template is below.

Meanwhile, one Northwest D.C. residential area has suffered from 19 weekends of amplified noise. The protestor's have targeted only one home--but the surrounding neighbors have suffered as well (more at www.questforquiet.org). Let's stand up for our right to the quiet enjoyment at home.

Thanks again!

STEP #1: CONTACT THESE SIX PEOPLE:
a. Your individual D.C. ward councilmember (For names and contact information, access the council website:
www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/contact.html )

b. D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray
email: vgray@dccouncil.us

c. D.C. At-Large Councilmember Carol Schwartz
email: schwartzc@dccouncil.us

d. D.C. At-Large Councilmember David A. Catania
email: dcatania@dccouncil.us

e. D.C. At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson
email: pmendelson@dccouncil.us

f. D.C. At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown
email: kbrown@dccouncil.us

STEP #2: THE MESSAGE:

Dear Councilmember:

Please protect my rights to quietly enjoy my home in the District of Columbia. Please SUPPORT the "Noise Control Protection Amendment Act of 2007 (B17-0177)," now pending before the D.C. City Council.

To further protect residential areas and free speech in public spaces, please also support the amendment which measures the noise "inside the nearest occupied residence in districts zoned R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, or R-4."

Your support will help ensure all D.C. residents have the right to quiet enjoyment. Thank you and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

D.C. Resident and Voter
Address

Panel: What Makes Great Streets?

Here is some info on an upcoming event at the Building Museum. It sounds pretty interesting and the names Karina Ricks and Joe Englert should be familiar enough to us all by now.

February 28
DC BUILDS: What Makes Great Streets?
Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Do great streets just happen or are they planned? Four panelists discuss the essential elements and often mysterious alchemy needed to create vibrant, livable streets in Washington, DC. Petronella Muraya, professor of geography at Howard University (moderator) examines the role of affordable housing, both in an international context and locally in Washington DC, as a component to livable streets. Darrel Rippeteau, Rippeteau Architects PC, expounds on the design and architectural elements that create streets as places designed for human interaction. Karina Ricks, associate director with the District Department of Transportation (DOT) draws on her experience in the DC DOT to outline how existing and planned multimodal transportation projects improve streets and communities in Washington, DC. Joe Englert, DC nightclub impresario, discusses the contributions of restaurants, taverns, and arts and entertainment venues in breathing new life into streets.
• 1.5 LU (AIA) / 1.5 CPE (ASLA)/ 1.5 CM (AICP)
$12 Members; $12 Students; $20 Public. Prepaid registration required. Walk-in registration based on availability.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
This program is supported by a grant from the Humanities Council of Washington, D.C.

Pound Coffee Coming in March

...to the ATF complex.

Ward 5 Economic Development Summit

Press Release:

Agenda Items for the Saturday, 2/23/2008, Ward 5 Economic Development Summit
Dear Ward 5 Residents:
Please mark your calendar now to attend the Ward 5 Economic Development Summit on Saturday, February 23, from 10 am to 2:45 pm. The Summit will be held at Caldwell Hall on the Catholic University campus. Lunch will be provided.
I have planned a dynamic agenda for the Summit , including:

- A panel discussion on Stimulating Neighborhood Economic Development, moderated by Ward 5 Planner Deborah Crain. Panelists include the following: Steve Moore, WDC Economic Partnership; Derrick Woody, Great Streets initiative; Phyllis Love, Restore DC’s Main Street initiative; Vinnie Wolhfarth, Brookland CDC/Brookland Main Street ; Pat Mitchell, North Capitol Main Street ; and Ana Harvey, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
- A mini-workshop on Negotiating Community Benefits, moderated by Collaboration DC’s Mary Jacksteit.
- An afternoon breakout session at which you will be able to meet with and ask questions of developers with projects in Ward 5. Each developer will have a table. To-date, developers for the following projects have RSVPed: Rhode Island Station; Arbor Place , McMillan Reservior; Art Space at Fort Totton ; Armed Forces Retirement Home; New Town at Capital City Market; St Paul ’s Townhome project; and the 3oth Street Townhome project; among others.


I look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions, call my office at 202.724.8028.
Sincerely,
Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr.
Ward 5 Councilmember

Now Totally Gone

If you've recently been down the stretch of Florida that runs from Montello to Trinidad you will notice that the building that once housed Jimmy's Tire has now been pretty much completely demolished, leaving only a vacant space in its stead. Will they rebuild? Will they sell to the townhouse/condo developers next door? Will we all just bee looking at a vacant lot for a very long time?

Bourban Dynasty @Rock & Roll Hotel

I recently heard about an upcoming show [Saturday night], at the Rock and Roll Hotel. At least one of the members is neighborhood local, and based on their website [where you can hear the songs], it seems worth a visit. The music is what I would consider rustic or rockabilly, or just plain rock depending on the song [please judge for yourself]. If I seem to be using lots of brackets recently, it's because I had a somewhat recent tea/keyboard incident and I am now forced to cut and paste excessively for non-letter marks [I'm lazy, ok]. At any rate, Bourbon Dynasty plays along with Studly Moses, Free Lobster Buffet, and CTC.
The show starts at 9:30 and the cover is $10. Bourbon Dynasty promises free cds.

Looking to the Future

Science Magazine has a special focus this month on cities. The issue examines the impact of cities today, and looks at what might happen to cities in the future. One highlight is the article Upending the Traditional Farm.

Hmm, apparently you now have have a subscription to read the article, but I don't have one and I read it earlier today using this link, which now appears to want to make you subscribe. Odd, but read the article if you have a subscription.

Or get the full pdf.

Two Things

From an alley around 3rd and K in spring of 2005
First, I thought people might be interested in this maybe slightly out of date, but still 2007, pdf with cool maps and a chart of upcoming projects in the NoMA/NY Ave metro area.



Down the block from the properties in question
Second, I saw this stuff on the Ward 5 listserv.

# PR17-0642
"HOME AGAIN IVY CITY DEMONSTRATION REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT DISPOSITION APPROVAL RESOLUTION OF 2008".

# PR17-0643
"HOME AGAIN IVY CITY DEMONSTRATION REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT SUPPLEMENTAL DISPOSITION APPROVAL RESOLUTION OF 2008".
From the titles you'd think it was all stuff about Ivy City. But that would be WAY too logical. Check the addresses. Most are in Ivy City. One is just across NY Ave in NW, but three of them are a little cluster on Wylie Street. The addresses on Wylie are-
1215 Wylie
1216 Wylie
1217 Wylie

Happy Birthday Pug

Wednesday night marks the very first anniversary of the Pug. Help the bar celebrate its first year and down a draft, or two for a good cause. All this week the Pug is donating proceeds from its draft beer sales to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. The Pug is located at 1234 H Street.

John from Carver Terrace enjoys a Guiness at the Pug

The Hub, Now and Then

Mayor Fenty delivers a speech at the groundbreaking
Metrocentric's been digging through the DDOT archives and here's a then and now view of the Starburst Intersection [AKA The Hub]. Actually right now the intersection just looks like a bunch of construction, but you get the gist. Didn't it look pretty cool in the 40's? Hopefully it can flourish again as the Starburst Plaza.

DDOT Director Emeka Moneme, Mayor Adrian Fenty, and Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells at the groundbreaking
Check out some sketches of the Plaza and the surrounding streetscape stuff on H and Benning on the DDOT site. While on the DDOT site you might be interested in some of the old planning documents regarding H Street. If you click on some of the H Street links they will send you to the Office of Planning and you can poke around in the Strategic Development plan and some other documents from 2002 and 2003. I particularly suggest looking at the Market Analysis memo that was released in late 2002. Part of it is, of course, based on data from the 2000 census. What do people think of the projections thus far?

Omar of the 6A Transportation Committee stands near a rendering of the Plaza

NAPA Extends Happy Hour to 8pm

NAPA has extended its Happy Hour on Tuesdays-Fridays t0 8pm, meaning the Happy Hour now runs from 5-8pm instead of 5-7pm. They are also holding regular wine tastings from 5-7pm on Wednesdays.
Here's how the bartender Scott describes the Happy Hour tapas deal:

For happy hour we have $10 dollar pairings of a happy hour tapas plate (such as shrimp, feta, artichokes and tomato pizza) and a drink (such as a house glasses of wine, beer, margaritas, martinis and mojitos)!

RNR Hotel Adds Midnight Valentine's Seating

For all you night owls who haven't yet made your Valentine's reservations, don't despair. Rock and Roll Hotel has added a midnight dinner seating to the night's line-up. Check out the menu and reservations details.

Dr. Granville's Menu Online

They appear to still be working on the website, but the food and drink menus for Dr. Granville's are now online.

Obama Event at Sidamo

I just received an email that the Obama camp is hosting an event at Sidamo. Here are the details:
Sat. Feb 9th
11:00am
Sidamo Coffee and Tea
417 H Street
For more info visit:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4r7qj

WP: Valentines Options on H

The Post taps two H Street Events for its alternative Valentine's Day options.

First you have SOVA's Valentine's Day Story Social. The group behind the happening is SpeakeasyDC. Read more about the evening, which the website describes as Stories and songs about love, lust and heartbreak Singles, couples, separated, divorced, cougars, stalkers, swingers, celibates, cheaters, heartbreakers, and lonely-hearts all welcome here. The band Stripmall Ballads [link plays music] will also perform live.

--------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE
--------------------------------------------------------

No liquor license yet, but I'm told tonight's event is now BYOB.

Here are the vitals for the event:
When: 8-10pm
Where: SOVA Wine and Espresso, 1359 H Street 240-888-9751
Cost: $10


Option number two is Love's on Fire at Palace of Wonders. Love's on Fire is, of course, a fire show presented by Flights of Fire [link plays music]. If you aren't sure what to expect, check out the MySpace video of the performers playing with flaming things for a sample.

When: 9:30
Where: Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street, 202-398-7469
Cost: $10

Last Night's 5B Meeting

The meeting was largely uneventful. The highlight was the news that Casey Trees plans to relocate their downtown headquarters to a site on Brookland's 12th Street Corridor. Representatives from Casey Trees and the architect handling the property delivered presentations. The project is still in the early phases, but Casey Trees hopes to have the office up and running a year from this summer. They also discussed new tree planting and residential reimbursement programs upon which they are partnering with the District.
Other business discussed included the upcoming [February 23rd] Ward 5 Economic Development Summit, efforts by Harry Thomas' office to work with youth in need of preparation to secure employment, and various administrative matters. Kwame Brown made a brief appearance, but was merely passing through.

Mexican Fruit Plans to Add Bakery

If you've been to the Florida Market recently you may have noticed a new sign for Mexican fruit across the street from their current storefront. They are not relocating, but plan to expand to sell baked goods in the new space.

Argonaut Nightly Specials

In Shaw: I Look For Dead People

The blogger from In Shaw investigates homestead and senior deductions in her neighborhood.

Booze Clues @Argonaut

The Argonaut Presents…

Booze Clues
Trivia Night on H Street

Who: You and a team of friends (or strangers. Choose wisely.)
What: Trivia Night- 8 rounds of putting all that crap you know to good use
When: Beginning Feb. 13, Wednesdays at 8pm
Where: Upstairs at the Argonaut, 1433 H St. NE
Why: Because it’s fun. And what else are you doing on Wednesdays?

$50 and $25 gift certificates for 1st and 2nd place finishes, as well as great prizes for the Circle of Shame (last place) and for Best Team Name

Check out arrrrrr new beer and wine list, and new food menu coming soon!
(Don’t worry. There will still be sweet potato fries.)

WP: This Joint is Jumping

The Post reviews H Street Playhouse's latest offering, A Night at the Dew Drop Inn.

H Street in Elle Decor

H Street is mentioned in the travel section of the March issue of Elle Decor.

Baby Loves Disco @RnR Hotel

I'm assuming that this new event at the Rock and Roll Hotel is the reason for all the strollers outside the Rock and Roll Hotel this weekend. Here's the info from the Hotel's website-
Baby Loves Disco

ALL Walking Humans MUST buy a ticket. It's the Crawlers who get in free!

This event is for kids AGES 6 MONTHS TO 7 YEARS and their friends and family.

No kid? No entry! No exceptions!

Doors | 1230pm Event | 1pm-4pm

SOLD OUT

For more info on the apparently very popular event click here for the info page, or here to see past press coverage. There are currently upcoming discos [both sold out] at the Hotel on March 15th and April 10th.

RCA Meeting Tomorrow

The message from RCA-

Hello neighbor!

The Rosedale Citizens Alliance will have its next meeting this Monday, February 4th at 7:30PM. We'll be meeting at Sova, 1359 H ST NE (2nd floor).

Highlights on the agenda include

-- presentation by Hiram Brewton, Ward 6 Outreach and Community Services Specialist, Office of the Mayor --rescheduled from December meeting--

(Mr. Brewton will be working with us to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing problems identified during Mayor Fenty's recent community walk in Rosedale. These problems include nuisance properties, unsafe construction sites, dumping in alleys, and a host of other issues. We will have copies of the report issued by the Mayor's office on actions taken by the DC government in response to the Rosedale community walk.

- updates on Rosedale/Kingman Park community garden, the planning process for the future Rosedale Recreation/Community Center, potential school closings in and around Rosedale, local businesses opening in the area, etc.

We hope to see you there,
-Rick Uzes
President, RCA

Valentines @the Argonaut

Here's the menu

Valentine’s Dinner
$60 per couple
(plus tax and gratuity)

I
Goat Cheese in Caraway Pastry
with raspberry sauce and hot black bread toasts


II
Mixed Greens Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
Served with Danish bleu cheese, baby beets, pickled red onion, and warm hot-spiced pecans


III
Chicken Schnitzel with Mustard Sauce
Served with German braised red cabbage and Gruyère potatoes

or

Rockfish Meunière (pan-fried with lemon, capers, fresh dill, and Riesling)
Served with garlic-roasted fingerling potatoes and baby bok choy

or

Wild Mushrooms and Pappardelle
Served with oven-roasted Roma tomatoes and parmesan cream


IV
Chocolate Torte
Served with rose petal sorbet and white chocolate sauce


For reservations, call 202.460.7326 or email reservations@argonautdc.com

Dr. Granville's Update

An update on (a shift in ownership and the departure of beer man Chris Surrusco) H Street's favorite Belgian tavern from beer blog Yours for Good Fermentables. I'm told plans to eventually make charcuterie on-site remain in the works.

===========================
UPDATE
===========================

Apparently the source that I linked to above is wrong in saying that Joe Englert sold his interest in Dr. Granville's. There was a change in ownership, but Mr. Englert reports that as a result of this change he now holds an even larger ownership share in Dr. Granville's. He also informs us that he is in the process of moving his office from Pennsylvania Ave to H Street so he can be closer to the action here. My apologies to all for the mix-up. Apparently you can't believe everything you read on the internet.

NAPA IN Cork and Knife

NAPA's owner, George Velazquez appears in this Cork and Knife article on the greening of restaurants.

Streetscape, Breaking Ground

For those you who missed the ceremony yesterday you can get the idea of what it was like from watching this video report from NBC4. For those desiring a more authentic recreation of the experience I suggest standing outside in 45 degree weather and then watching the video. You also won't want to miss this piece from the Post that discusses some facets of the streetcars, and also links to DDOT's rendering of the new cars.
More coverage:
ABC7

Wine Tasting Wednesdays @NAPA 1015

Starting February 13th NAPA will hold wine tastings each Wednesday night in their bar area from 5-7pm. Because 5-7 is also their happy hour you'll be able to take advantage of their drink and tapas specials. Here's how the bartender Scott describes the tapas deal:
For happy hour we have $10 dollar pairings of a happy hour tapas plate (such as shrimp, feta, artichokes and tomato pizza) and a drink (such as a house glasses of wine, beer, margaritas, martinis and mojitos)!

From 5-7 NAPA also serves its pre-theater dinner menu.

Express: Shuttle in Late Spring?

Apparently the long discussed city-financed shuttle service on H Street could become a reality sooner than expected. A spokesman from Tommy Wells' office cautions that it wouldn't be until late spring at the earliest, but that sounds like pretty good timing to me. It would at least catch the summer crowd.

Daily Candy: Red and the Black

Daily Candy taps a Red and the Black for a weekend concert, but check out the street reference. Because everyone knows where Wylie and Linden are, right?

HEAR
Ilad
What: Area rockers perform tracks from their stellar new record, National Flags.
Why: We salute ye.
When: Thurs., 9 p.m.
Where: The Red & the Black, 1212 H St. NE, b/t Wylie St. & Linden Pl. (202-399-3201).

NAPA 1015 Valentine's Menu

NAPA 1015 Valentines Day Menu
Reservations: 202-396-6272

First Course
Goat cheese and beet salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and caramelized walnuts
or
Caesar salad
Hearts of romaine lettuce with our house Caesar dressing

Second Course
Vegetable terrine
Layers of roasted red pepper, eggplant, and smoked gouda
or
Foie gras
Served with brioche and raspberry pear chutney

Third Course
Lobster tail stuffed with crab meat
or
Medallions of beef tenderloin served with au poivre sauce
or
Corn and parmesan polenta
Served with sauteed vegetables and a roasted tomatillo sauce.

Fourth Course
Creme Brule
or
Fresh berries paired with chocolate fondue
Chocolate mousse garnished with amaretto whipped cream and raspberries

$50.00 per person

DCmud Burnham Place Architect Named

DCmud reports that Akridge has named Shalom Baranes Associates as the architect for Burnham Place at Union Station.

DC Adds 25M to H Street Streetscape

Here is a statement from Tommy Wells' office-

You’ve probably heard about all the different H Street, NE related funding opportunities from a variety of sources, but we’ve put up a page on our website with much of this information consolidated into one place. The total is over $76 million being invested on H Street, NE.

Link: http://www.tommywells.org/content/view/333/30/

Two big items:

1) Please join Councilmember Wells and Mayor Fenty tomorrow morning at 10:30 am at the Starburst intersection for the announcement and groundbreaking of the streetscape and street car projects.


2) Please note the deadlines for applications for several of the programs listed on this webpage, and also note that the funding awards are “rolling”. Organizations or property owners that want to apply should move quickly because the funding agency isn’t waiting until the deadline to make the awards; they are giving awards to eligible applicants along the way. If a very worthy applicant waits until the deadline to apply, the funding may well have run out. So if you know of folks interested, please encourage them to move quickly.

Get the pdf here for full details.

Artistry of Paul Johnson @Gallaudet

Here's some info from Gallaudet on an upcoming reception and exhibit the University is hosting:

Opening reception for 'Three Dimensional Mythology: The Artistry of Paul Johnston'

Join the Gallaudet University Art Department for an opening reception for "Three Dimensional Mythology: The Artistry of Paul Johnston's Handscape Masks" on Tuesday, February 5, 4-6 p.m., Washburn Arts Building lobby. Enjoy food and festivities and celebrate Fat Tuesday and the kick-off of this new colorful exhibit.

Dr. Johnston has created a mysterious and multifaceted vision of deaf culture that reflects his deeply personal journey growing up deaf in a hearing world. The masks confront a variety of issues, from the struggle to acquire language to combating stereotypes. Each character's individuality confronts the notion that all deaf people are alike, said Johnston, a long-time Gallaudet professor.

These vibrant fusions of eyes, hands, and faces derive their personality from the expressive nature of sign language. Over a 10-year period, Johnston has created 50 masks from mixed media, enlivening each with brightly colored paint, feathers, and ornate wire. He has created four mythological character groups: performer, learner, communicator, and worker.

The exhibit will run February 5-March 5. The Linda K. Jordan Gallery is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

H Street Heritage Trail Mtg 2/19

From the trail people:
The third H Street Heritage Trail meeting was marked by an articulate account from Sam Smith, long-time DC journalist, of the riots in 1968. The group then drew up preliminary ideas for the route of the Trail, having it begin at Union Station, make it's way up Benning Road and ending south and east of Union Station in Capitol Hill.

This is all preliminary and of course part of the discussions to take place in the coming months, but it was great to see such a visual representation of things.

A link to a posting of the notes from the three meetings is now online at http://hstreettrail.blogspot.com. There you can also see some great pictures, courtesy of Mr. Smith. We're hoping to post more soon, so if you have any, please send to gallo4343@hotmail.com.

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19th at the Atlas Performing Arts Center at 7PM. In the meantime, the residents of the Delta Towers community are going to gather together to try to bring up some of their unique memories.

Congressional Chorus @Atlas

Here's the info:


Save the date...
for a Roaring Good Time...
and slip away with
The Congressional Chorus for
"A Night at the Speakeasy"
on March 8th or 9th at The Atlas Performing Arts Center, one of Washington's premier new live performance complexes.

Join your friends around our candlelit tables where you'll enjoy spirited American music of the 1920s, an era when jazz raged, gin flowed (illegally) and Charleston-crazy flappers danced the night away behind locked doors. Along with popular songs by masters such as Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael, Fats Waller, the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, and Hammerstein and Kern, our cabarets will also feature period costumes, dancing, tasty gourmet bites and a cash bar. Get your tickets now - last year's performances were sold out!

Show times and location:

A Night at the Speakeasy
Saturday, March 8th - 8 pm
Sunday, March 9th - 4 pm

The Sprenger Theater
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street, Northeast
Washington, DC 20002

Plan to arrive an hour before the show to enjoy food and drink and place your bids on an exciting array of goods and services being offered in a silent auction to raise money for several Congressional Chorus projects, including a new, city-wide youth music education initiative.

All tickets - $30 - available through the Atlas box office at 202-399-7993 or online at www.atlasarts.org

The Atlas Performing Arts Center, located at 1333 H Street Northeast, opened in late 2006 on the site of a former Art Deco movie theater. It has since been joined by clubs, art galleries, coffeehouses and restaurants that are making the H Street corridor one of the city's hottest, new entertainment neighborhoods. The Atlas offers valet parking, as well as shuttle service from Union Station.

Visit the Congressional Chorus website,
or www.atlasarts.org, for more information.

Valentine's @SOVA

If you haven't yet hammered out your V-Day plans you'll be happy to read that SOVA invites you all to enjoy the evening as they play host to SpeakeasyDC's Valentine's Day Story Social, with live musical performances by Stripmall Ballads. The even runs from 8-10pm and the cover is $10 at the door. SOVA is located at 1359 H Street.

WP: Community @Sidamo

Last week's Post Magazine contained the following delightfull article on Sidamo. Ethiopian Immigrants Create Community with Coffee.
Sidamo is located at 417 H Street.

Streetscape Breaks Ground Tomorrow

Here's the DDOT announcement:


MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and DDOT Break Ground on Benning Road/H Street
Streetscape and Streetcar Project

Second Great Streets Project Being Prepped to Begin Construction

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), on
behalf of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, invites you to a press conference to
announce plans for the highly anticipated H Street and Benning Road
Great Street Streetscape and Streetcar Project. Work on Benning Road
began in late December 2007.

H Street NE and Benning Road are vital corridors serving the near
northeast communities in the District of Columbia. Plans for their
improvement began with community and business leadership and vision.
DDOT is pleased to be able to make that vision a reality through the
investment of over $50 million in streetscape, safety, and transit
improvements that will transform the corridor from 3rd Street to
Oklahoma Avenue NE.

What: H Street and Benning Road Streetscape and Streetcar Project

Who: Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor
Emeka Moneme, Director, District Department of Transportation

When: Thursday, January 31, 2008 @ 10:30am

Where: Starburst Intersection and Plaza Intersection of H St.,
Benning, Maryland Ave, Bladensburg Rd, and 15th St NE
(by Maryland Avenue/Bladensburg Road)

Karyn G. Le Blanc | Acting Public Information Officer & Public Affairs
Specialist | Office of the Director | District Department of
Transportation

desk 202-671-3490 | fax 202-671-0650 | cell 202-497-4572 | www.ddot.dc. gov

ABC7: Source of Jimmy's Tire Fire Identified

Sparks from a masonry saw that contractors were using to repair a recently collapsed wall appear to have ignited the fire that destroyed Jimmy's Tire. ABC 7 has the story and some photos. They are also reporting that the owners are considering rebuilding.

H Street in NY Magazine

New York Magazine recently ran a story on what to do when traveling to DC. One section of the article, An Oddball Day, suggests checking out H Street. That section begins with that typical New York cliche about how everyone in DC is boring and uptight.
"For a city that’s filled with button-downed Brooks Brothers shirts and Ann Taylor pantsuits, it’s great to see that there’s still some dirty, weird folks around."
But they obviously mean that dirty, weird thing in the best possible way, because the gist is overall positive. Palace of Wonders, The Red and the Black, and the Argonaut all received explicit mentions.

Broke & In Love @R&R Hotel

From the Rock and Roll Hotel-
Rock and Roll Hotel's special engagement for all you broke chumps that wanna get some on Valentines Day. $40 all inclusive meal for two with a Bottle of Champagne, shared Appetizer, choice of individual entree, and a fondue dessert. Chris Price rockin' out 80's love songs all night. seating is limited to 50 couples with one seating @ 8pm and the second @ 10pm so act quick you broke bastards.

Choices:
Appetizer

Cheese Plate;
Brie with truffle oil
Goat cheese with fig preserve
Gorgozola with honeyed walnuts
Served with grilled flat breads and marinated olives

OR

Mixed green salad with hazelnuts and raspberry
vinaigrette

Entree

Citrus glazed salmon with key lime vinaigrette

OR

Grilled chicken breast with white wine-caper sauce

OR

Grilled eggplant napolean with pomegranate glaze,
roasted red pepper-walnut sauce and goat cheese (can
be ordered vegan w/o the cheese)

All entrees served with roasted rosemary potatoes and
grilled asparagus

Dessert

Warm bittersweet fondue for two with fresh berries,
poundcake and marshmallows


Reservations only, contact fritz@rockandrollhoteldc.com or steve@rockandrollhoteldc.com

New Citipizza Now Open

For those of you not inclined to make your own, we now have a decent delivery option right here on H Street. New Citipizza is located in the 504 H Street, and their phone number is 202-544-6292 . I believe they do delivery, or pick-up. I'm not totally sure about the pick-up thing. I used to order from the original Citipizza, and it was always a good local option that showed up in a timely manner and took credit cards.

WP: Theaters Opt For Bio-Musicals

The Post has a piece on why some DC theaters are offering more bio-musicals. They offer the H Street Playhouse as an example. Tickets are currently available for A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn. Here is the info from the Theater Alliance website:
Conceived and Directed by James Foster Jr.
January 31 - February 16
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 5 pm

Recreating the "hole in the wall, through the woods on a gravel road, moonshine still in the back" juke joint experience, A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn offers low-down blues, hot piano, singing that makes you want to stand up and shout, and a tribute to the "Queen of the Blues," Miss Dinah Washington. It's an evening of music and dance and foot-stomping you won't want to miss! So, get ready to kick back, enjoy refreshments with your friends, and experience a wildly entertaining evening, as we convert the H Street Playhouse into Capitol Hill's hottest "juke joint." Featuring: Andy Torres, Yvette Manson, Stephawn Stevens, Kimberly Spencer-McLeod; and Ralph Herndon on piano.

Monday Night Wines @Argo

All bottles of wine ½ price with dinner

wine tasting starting at 7pm
(1/28 2/4)

Come see our new look and enjoy our expanded wine list!
The Argonaut is located at 1433 H Street

Argo Weekend Specials

SPECIALS
To Drink
Prima Pils, Victory Brewing, Pennsylvania $6
Bock, Abita Brewing, Louisiana, (Mardi gras seasonal) $5

To Eat
New England- White clam chowder with potatoes and bacon, $5/$8
Chowder crackers
Fish Tacos-Crispy Tilapia, cilantro-cabbage slaw, salsa cruda, $10
House made remoulade, with avocado salad
Wood Fired Spiced Salmon-Horseradish Potato salad $14
and Rhotebraut
Shrimp & Grits- scotch bonnet chutney glazed, $15
with chow-chow relish and cheddar grits

Combat and Redemption @the Atlas

The Post features a great review of three short operatic works being presented a single piece at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The three short pieces are Monteverdi's Combattimento, Mozart's The Impresario, and Holst's Savitri. Together they make up Combat and Redemption, which you can catch again on the 26th and 27th. The Atlas is located at 1333 H Street. Purchase tickets here, or call the box office at 202-399-7993.

Nouveau Fleur Blooms on H

Many of you may have noticed something new occupying the first floor space in the Language Doctors building. The building, located on the northeast corner of 5th and H, doesn't yet boast a permanent sign on the first floor, but a white banner announces the opening of a new business. The business is Nouveau Fleur, and a visit inside is sure to impress.

An assortment of arrangements and single flowers greet visitors upon entry. When I stopped by they were running a special on Star Gazer Lilies.

Owner, Debbie Moultry, and her sister pose for the camera. Both women are Master Gardens who are very excited to finally see the dream of Nouveau Fleur realized. In addition to the many cut flowers, pots, and living plants on sale in the shop, Ms. Moultry also offers event planning services.

The space is very nicely decorated and has a light and airy feel that fits its purpose well.


Proving that Nouveau Fleur is more than just a good choice for Valentine's Day, or brightening up your dining room, both women spoke of their hope that customers will return for advice on how to care for living plants.

They also spoke of plans, once the weather turns to spring, to offer herbs, and other plants out in the patio area. In addition, they will offer classes in caring for plants, composting, and other areas.

Whether you make a special trip, or stop by after yoga, or coffee, you'll definitely be impressed by what's sprouted on this corner. Nouveau Fleur, 500 H Street, 202-352-2153.