Free hoagies @ Taylor on H Street tomorrow 12-1 pm via DC United

Tomorrow, DC United is giving away free Taylor Gourmet hoagies at the original Taylor Gourmet location on H Street.  From 12-1 p.m. they'll be on hand, passing out free 6-inch hoagies in celebration of the 4th of July and DCU's upcoming game against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at RFK. They'll also be giving away some match tickets and a DCU third kit. 

Don't forget that DCU often partners with H Street businesses the Pug, Biergarten Haus, Khan's, and Queen Vic and often runs a game day shuttle to and from H Street (not this Saturday) and each of those DCU partner bars regularly show games and offers specials for DCU fans. 

Construction Completion Celebration with Art Ventures on H tomorrow

Tomorrow morning begins the celebration of the completion of the major streetscape work that's been a centerpiece of the revitalization of H Street as we get ready to welcome streetcars back to DC. 

Tomorrow evening, ArtVentures returns bigger and better than ever with 18 art exhibits (5:30-8) and 20 restaurants and bars (7-9:30) participating, with various first timers in each category like Little Miss Whiskeys, Queen Vic, and Red Palace showing art, with the Atlas Room and Capital City Diner joining the Argonaut, Liberty Tree, Ethiopic and all your favorite H Street restaurants.  ArtVentures opens all the H Street art galleries & brings exhibits to various other establishments.  Paticipants receive a passport which gets a stamp from each gallery visited.  Then, each stamp on the passport is worth an additional 2% off your bill at the participating restaurants for up to 10% off.  It's always a good time and a good crowd and this one will be especially enjoyable now that the streets and sidewalks are complete. 

Here's the full list of restaurants participating in the dine around:

H Street ribbon cutting w/ Mayor & DDOT tommorow 10 am, at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St)

H Street - A Great Street Remodeled

Please join Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the District Department of Transportation to mark the substantial completion of the H Street Great Streets Project.  Now that the majority of the heavy construction has passed it is time to celebrate the progress that has been made on this project throughout the H Street corridor. The parking lanes have been restored, the sidewalks and roadway has been reconstructed, the new streetlights are in and the track and station platforms for the future streetcar are now in place.

For more information about this project and event please contact Margaret Gentry at magentry@mactec.com or 202-320-8534.

Event Details:

Thursday, June 30, 2011 10 am – 11 am
1333 H Street, NE (in front of the Atlas Performing Arts Center)

Half off Inspire BBQ (650 H St) via So What's the Deal

Inspire BBQ (650 H St) $20 coupons are now available at half price ($10) today via So What's the Deal. 

This is a great opportunity to try Inspire's menu if you haven't already.  Eat More Drink More gave them a very favorable review a couple months back.

Inspire BBQ is open for lunch and dinner until 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday).  Call ahead for catering or delivery orders. (202) 391-0741

Link roundup

The Hill is Home has this post on why they don't take neighborhood gem The Argonaut for granted.

The Washington Post noted that Scott Kennison, the opening Chief Operating Officer at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St), is leaving after 8 years.  Kennison is being replaced by Kyle Rudgers, the current production manager at the Washington Performing Arts Society, starting July 5.

DC UrbanTurf says NoMa is "evolving from a brand into a neighborhood."

The Hill is Home has this post from a real estate agent noting that the housing market in Trinidad is heating up.

City Paper's Young & Hungry has this reader review of Toki Underground, which won the author 2 tickets to the RAMMYs, where Watershed Chef Todd Gray (also of Equinox Restaurant) won Chef of the Year.

Petition Mayor Gray to keep promise to support H Street retail

The H Street NE Retail Priority Area Incentive Act of 2010 unanimously passed the Council -- chaired by Mr. Gray -- in December 2010.  The legislation requires that the tax increment already collected from the H Street corridor be reinvested in two ways: 1) a new grant program to retain and recruit retail small businesses on the corridor, tied to new job creation, and 2) fund a previously approved, but unfunded, tax abatement for the project at 3rd and H Street (where a mixed use residential development with a Giant grocery store, underground parking, and other retail will break ground soon).
The grant program works by supporting targeted retail development on H Street (excluding restaurants, bars, phone stores, etc.) and requires that the new developments create jobs and hire District residents.

Unfortunately, the Mayor has decided to use the collected tax funds to pay for the tax abatement at 3rd and H Street, but not allow the remaining funds to be used for the H Street retail priority grant program.  The funds are available, but the Mayor’s budget office has proposed funding the tax abatement, but leaving the retail grant funds unspent for the fiscal year, holding them to pay for spending pressures elsewhere in the city’s budget.

If you agree that the funds collected on H Street should go towards promoting H Street retail as per the unanimously enacted legislation, please consider signing this petition calling on Mayor Gray to restore the grant funding. 

East City Art weekend roundup: Events @ Studio H & Adobe Design

Weekend East City Event Round Up:  Around the World in an Evening Edition

Friday June 24

Studio H (6-9pm)

This Friday at Studio H (408 H St), do not miss the opening of Impressions of Uzbekistan by Dutch Painter Ronald Kleijer.  Kleijer’s work focuses on capturing daily life in the fabled cities of the Silk Road in his adopted home of Uzbekistan.  This will be Kleijer’s first exhibition in the United States.  To learn more about the artist, his work and the places that inspire him, click here .

Studio H

www.studiohdc.com

408 H Street NE second floor

Metro: Union Station (2 blocks)

Saturday June 25

Adobe Design Center and Showroom (3-6pm)

The H Street design showroom (654 H St) will host the opening of Images of Dignity a series of pen and ink, oil on linen and acrylic works by Al Burts focusing on figurative work.  Burts is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Georgetown and received his BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He currently resides in Woodbridge, VA.  

Adobe Design Center and Showroom

www.adobedesigndc.com

654 H Street NE

Metro: Union Station (4 blocks)

Twelve Restaurant & Lounge (1123 H St) license renewed with significant restrictions

ANC6A and a group of nearby neighbors protested the renewal of the liquor license for Twelve Restaurant & Lounge (1123 H St) last year after a series of incidents and numerous complaints from nearby neighbors about the establishment and the owner was unwilling to negotiate a more restrictive agreement with the community.  ABRA has now renewed the license for Twelve, but has done so only with significant restrictions on its use.  Twelve is now required to hire a "reimburseable detail" of police officers any time the establishment "provides any entertainment permitted by the establishment's entertainment endorsement" (e.g., DJs, musical performers) and is barred from further use flyers to promote events and may not allow the use of flyers by any third-party promoters of events either. 

ANC6A Commissioners Adam Healy and Drew Ronneberg and former Commissioner Mary Beatty deserve credit for hard work they spent working with neighbors, the establishment, and ABRA, which resulted in the additional restrictions now in place.  Hopefully, they will help resolve the past complaints.

Atlas Summer Film Series starts tomorrow

Free Summer Film Series at the Atlas (1333 H St) June 23 - September 4

 Gay 101 – Thursdays at 8pm June 23 - September 1
Movie Musicals  - Fridays at 8pm June 24 -September 2
Family Series - Saturdays at 5pm July 2 - September 3
Spike Lee Presents - Sundays at 4pm July 3 -September 4
All Film Series Tickets are FREE ($2 booking fee)

Gay 101  Thursdays 8pm

June 23 Victor/Victoria
June 30 Milk
July 7 My Beautiful Laundrette
July 14 Paris is Burning
July 21 The Kid Are Alright
July 28 The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert
August 4 The Crying Game
August 11 Hedwig and the Angry Inch
August 18 Beautiful Thing
August 25 Outrage
September 1 Brokeback Mountain

Musicals Fridays 8pm
June 24 Bye, Bye Birdie
July 1 Funny Girl
July 8 Dreamgirls
July 15 Chicago
July 22 Hair
July 29 My Fair Lady
August 5 West Side Story
August 12 Hairspray
August 19 Michael Jackson’s This is It
August 26 The Wizard of Oz
September 2 Grease

Family Series  Saturdays 5pm
July 2 An American Tail
July 9 E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
July 16 Chicken Run
July 23 Babe: The Gallant Pig
August 13 Shrek
August 20 The Tale of Despereaux
August 27 Labyrinth
September 3 The Goonies

Spike Lee Presents  Sundays 4pm
July 3 Inside Man
July 10 4 Little Girls
July 17 Get on the Bus
July 24 Clockers
July 31 Crooklyn
August 7 Jungle FeverAugust 14 Mo’ Better Blues
August 21 School Daze
August 28 Do the Right Thing
September 4 She’s Gotta Have It

Dangerously Delicious Pies to expand to 2nd floor, adding back patio & serve beverages

Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St) plans to expand their popular H Street pie shop to the building's second floor in the coming months.  Plans call for a back patio off the new second level.  The expansion to the second level will provide additional room for the shop to host small bands for live music to entertain their patrons.  Dangerously Delicious Pies founder Rodney Henry is a well-regarded musician and DDP-DC has hosted small music acts at events in the past, but the shop's current configuration with a small first level provides little room for performances. 

They will also be seeking a liquor license to allow them to serve beer and other beverages besides water, milk or juice alongside their quiches and sweet and savory pies.  We're not sure what goes well with strawberry rhubarb, but the SMOG goes well with beer or a hearty red wine and their quiche pair nicely with your choice of mimosas and bloody marys. 

We tend to buy our pies whole to go as they're one of our favorite things to serve when entertaining.  Their quiche makes for an easy brunch, savory pies are a fun alternative to cheese/cracker and veggies/dip for a cocktail party, and their sweet pies are a nice way to end any dinner (the Key [Bridge] Lime with graham cracker crust is a particularly good rendition and a nice cool treat in these hot summer months). 

Don't forget that in addition to staying open late, Dangerously Delicious opens daily for lunch starting at 11 am on weekdays, and opens at 9 am on weekends.

Link roundup

DC Urban Turf follows up on our report about the development plans for 300 L St NE.

DC Style is Real dropped by the inaugural NoMa Farmers' Market, which is Wednesdays 3 - 7 p.m., at 1200 First Street, NE (1st & M Sts) and conveniently right before the NoMa summer screen movie nights.  

Metrocurean checked out Watershed (1200 1st St NE) and liked it, joining us in recommending the shrimp n grits, hush puppies and crabcakes, and also touting the soft shell crabs.

Parenting Magazine says DC is the best city for families.

The Washington Post says "Impala" from the folks behind the famed pop up taco stand Tacos Impala is coming to H Street next year.  We've heard this as well and are pleased that there is a location lined up for the return of these terrific tacos, which came to us from well-regarded H Street residents.

The Washington Post touts the back patio at Smith Commons and says they're growing their beer program into "one of the city's best."  We're lucky to have a number of great patios along H Street and Smith Commons is definitely one of our favorite.

Prince of Petworth's House of the Day is a nice one from the corner of 5th & G, which has an incredibly well-tended to yard.  It's one of our favorites in the neighborhood and is located at a great corner where each house has a really nice yard and where rose bushes have been planted in the corner tree boxes.  Bravo to the homeowner on the much deserved kudos.

DC Suburbia has this nice post offering a neighborhood resident's perspective on the Argonaut, and its meaning to the community before and after the fire.

Frozen Tropics has this note that there will be a series of mediation classes coming up on Wednesdays and Sundays at SOVA and the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

Councilmember Tommy Wells introduced three new bills to address DC officials use of vehicles, transition funding for new administrations, and campaign fundraising.

Yarn Bomb Knit In @ Jimmy Valentines tonight & next Monday

Calling all knitters and yarn enthusiasts! Jimmy Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club (1103 Bladensburg) will be participating CHAMPS’ next ARTventures on H (6/30) in quite a unique way.

They’re letting us YARN BOMB them!
Now, this is no small feat, so we need your help! In order for us to seriously bomb the place, we need as many knitters as possible to create hearts (in any shade of pink or red). And to make it worth your while, we’ll be holding two special KNIT-INs to get ready for this massively awesome installation. You’re a knitting novice, you say? No worries; we’ll learn you real quick.

On Monday June 20 and Monday June 27 from 8pm-10pm, stop by Jimmy Valentine’s at 1103 Bladensburg Road and knit a heart to plaster on the front of the building. Patterns and some yarn will be provided, but bring your needles (and um, maybe some yarn) if you have ‘em!

Can’t make it to either of the Knit-Ins? No problem. We’d still love you to participate by knitting a heart (in any shade of pink or red) to donate to the cause.
If you have any questions or would like more information, email Julia Christian, CHAMPS Executive Director at champs@capitolhill.org or Beth Baldwin, Queen of Knitting Awesomeness at tigerflight@gmail.com

Congrats to Teddy Folkman of Granville Moores on going to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen this weekend

Teddy Folkman, owner and executive chef at Granville Moore’s on H Street is participating in the 2011 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen Colorado this weekend joining with Brewery Ommegang to exhibit beer and food pairings.

Chef Folkman will collaborate with Brewery Ommegang in a presentation called “Great Beer Deserves Great Food,” a program they jointly developed over the past year.  Folkman serves as a national culinary ambassador for Brewery Ommegang.

Patrons of Granville Moore’s enjoy Folkman’s regular multi-course pairing dinners with special menus and carefully selected beers to accompany and enhance each course.  Many of the restaurant’s regular offerings also incorporate craft beers, especially Ommegang and other Belgian beers.

For 28 years, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen has been the premier culinary and wine event of its kind. Each June, FOOD & WINE magazine hosts 5,000 highly targeted consumers, members of the restaurant industry and press in Aspen. The three-day weekend brings FOOD & WINE to life with cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. Seminars led by wine and food superstars such as Mario Batali, José Andrés, Jacques Pépin, Gail Simmons, and Joshua Wesson provide a world-class experience.

East City Art Weekend Event Round Up: shows @ Open Studio & Conner Contemporary

Weekend East City Event Round Up

Open Studio DC (3-6pm)

The recently christened Open Studio DC next door to Conner will host a group show of former Corcoran School of Art + Design Faculty, Students and Lab Assistance. Prints are priced as low as $20 and up to $1,000. This is a great opportunity to buy inexpensive locally produced art. The event takes place from 3 to 6pm.

Open Studio DC (1348 Florida Ave NE)

Conner Contemporary Art (4-7pm)

If you’ve ever wondered about those awning that have popped up all around the 1300 block of Florida Avenue NE, meet up at Conner Contemporary art for an artist talk with Patrick McDonough who created the sculptures. Jeremy Flick will also be in attendance to discuss his site specific installation “A Unified Theory of Everything”. The event takes place from 4 to 7pm.

Conner Contemporary Art (1358 Florida Ave NE)

Beer for a cause (826DC) @ the Pug Saturday, 8-10 p.m. $10

826DC, the newest chapter in 826 National network of nonprofit writing centers founded by bestselling author Dave Eggers, is hosting its first annual School's Out for Summer (ALMOST) Party at the Pug on Saturday night. A $10 donation at the door gets you all the 826 beer special you can drink. I was hoping that you could add the event to your listings, and I’ve included all of the details below:

What:  826DC’s first annual School's Out for Summer (ALMOST) Party

Where: The Pug (1234 H Street Northeast, Washington D.C.)

When: Saturday, June 18, 2011

Time: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Why: Because 826DC has served nearly 1,000 students this school year, and with your  help we can serve even more next year.

Who: 826DC, the newest chapter in 826 National network of nonprofit writing centers, is dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. To find out more about the 826DC, visit http://www.826dc.org/ (or see their mission statement after the jump)

ANC6A05 Meeting w/ Comm Sharee Lawler, Mon. June 20, 7 pm @ Options Charter (14th & TN)

ANC6A05 Commissioner Sharee Lawler will host her quarterly meeting with her single member district constituents (those living between 10th & 16th and E and C Street NE) on Monday, June 20, from 7-8 p.m., at the Options Public Charter School (1375 E St NE). 

Monday, June 20^th, 7-8PM

Options Public Charter School Gymnasium

1375 E Street, NE (Please use the 14^th & Tennessee entrance)

Commissioner Sharee Lawler invites all residents of ANC 6A-05 to a quarterly neighborhood meeting.  Take this opportunity to:

-       Learn about the impact of redistricting and major actions recently taken by ANC 6A
-       Get a preview of major upcoming issues
-       Share opinions or concerns about things that impact the quality of life around your home such as parks, development, garbage, parking, crime, etc.

Future Quarterly ANC 6A-05 meetings: September 19^th, December 12^th

PLUS, drop by between 7-8:30AM for coffee at SOVA on:  July 29^th, October 28^th, November 18^th

Sharee Calverley Lawler
Commissioner, ANC 6A05
ANC6A.org
TalkConnect
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Ethiopic gets a facade upgrade with new paint job & windows and celebrity guests follow

Ethiopic (401 H St) was awarded a facade grant and has been under contruction to past couple months, but the finished product is looking very good.  While Ethiopic does not own the building, we're thrilled to see such a nice upgrade in place for such nice business owners and H Street neighborhood residents. 

Ethiopic has also brought some high profile visitors to H Street with Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke both dining there in recent weeks.

For a reminder of what the building looked like before Ethiopic came along, check out the google earth image from a couple years ago after the jump.

Smith Commons hosts local brewers BBQ to celebrate Independence Day 7/1-10

Smith Commons DMV Brewers BBQ
Friday, July 1 - Sunday, July 10
The Commons - 2nd & 3rd Floors

Celebrate your independence from common beer and fare. For 10 days, Smith Commons will offer uncommonly good BBQ favorites and brews from The District, Maryland and Virginia. Nothing says American like local beer and BBQ. For $20, guests can choose a main, companion and a sweet. On Sunday, July 3 $5 brews will also be available.

The menu and featured brews are listed below. The regular menu will be available in the first floor dining room.

Music classes for 0-3 yr olds this summer the Atlas

Register Now! - Music Classes for 0-3 year olds at The Atlas Performing Arts Center

This summer Mister Mike's Music Together Classes will be Friday Mornings at the Atlas (1333 H St).  So far we're just offering two class times - Friday 9:40am and Friday 10:40am.

The summer session is shorter and less expensive than the other semesters.  It's 6 weeks long and we'll offer one make-up class running from July 1- August 5(with August 12 as makeup). The cost is $140. Of course there is a unique song collection for the summer of which you'll get the CD and booklet.
TO REGISTER: Call to be sure there is still space, 202.251.7205 or email mistermikesmusicATgmailDOTCOM

Thanks,

Michael Showalter

Free business seminars for H Street biz owners @ Atlas this summer via CHAMPS

CHAMPS is starting a series of FREE business education seminars and how to clinics (including sign language) this Thursday.  Here's the schedule as it stands now. All of the classes are at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St) and all of them are completely free (CHAMPS was awarded a grant to do these). If you're interested in attending, please send an email to CHAMPS Executive Director Julia Christian (champs@capitolhill.org) so she can make sure to have all of the materials ready for you!

Tommy Wells H Street Office hours tomorrow, 8:00 am, @ SOVA

Reminder that Councilmember Tommy Wells holds his monthly H Street NE Community Office Hours tomorrow morning Thursday, June 16, at Sova Espresso & Wine (1359 H St) from 8:00 am - 9:30 a.m.

WMD show @ Rock n Roll Hotel Friday, June 24

June 24: WMD feat. The Method at Rock n Roll Hotel

After four years as an outlet for Washington cubicle-jockeys to get their inner funk on, the 10-piece soul/rock outfit WMD are calling it quits.  But not before releasing a full-length album and headlining a Friday night bill at the Rock n Roll Hotel. 

The band, formed in 2007 by policy journalists Josh Wein, Ian Martinez and Michael Dolan (the band name is merely an initialism with an unintended but totally awesome war pun), is made up of bunch of DC types including Congressional aides, White House staff and election lawyers, and has performed at an inaugural ball, headlined Black Cat's main stage, and filled smaller venues on U St for years, but has booked the biggest draw on the block for their farewell show.

The show, largely in support of their debut album WMD and the Badass Brass Band (due out next week), is the band's last because founding members  Josh Wein (the "W") and Ian Martinez (the "M") are headed off the greener pastures in San Francisco and Philadelphia, respectively.  While some members of the band are serious musicians and will continue to play on, this will be the last show in the band's current incarnation, according to Martinez.  The album, a months-long project featuring 11 original tunes mostly written by DC bartender and law student Jonathan Quigley, will be the band's legacy, Martinez said. 

Opening act The Method, many of whom are old friends with WMD's members, are a local jam band who also lean heavily on the "day-job/night-job" shtick, and have filled RRH on their own in years past.

Tickets are available at Ticket Alternative ($10) or at the door.

The Argonaut hosts Phoenix Fest commemorating fire anniversary with day of fun for a good cause

The anniversary of the terrible fire at the Argonaut is upon us and the good folks there was to celebrate how far they've come since then and want to give back, so they're hosting the 1st Annual Phoenix Fest to benefit the DC Fire Fighters Burn Foundation this Sunday afternoon with a host of festivities starting at 1 p.m.  They hope to raise at least $5,000 for the cause, so please join and participate in the fun times which will involve live music, Maryland blue crabs, moon bounces, fire trucks, a raflle, a bake sale, wine tasting, a cornhole tournament and more.  The full schedule is after the jump

Link roundup

Brunch & the City touts brunch at The Atlas Room (1015 H St).  We started, but have not finished a post on brunch at the Atlas Room, but have been pleased with what we've tried so far including the sweet polenta, the grand marnier french toast, the perfectly poached eggs, and the terrific bacon. 

DC Style is Real drops by The Queen Vic (1204 H St).  The quick write up describes Queen Vic as a friendly neighborhood bar with an attentive staff, which is true, but fails to acknowlege that the food there is terrific.  We particular recommend the fish n chips, which are outstanding. 

They also take shots at Toyland, in the post-Garrick & Erin-led era.  Toyland is now closed & a new restaurant will be in place at 421 H St later this summer.  Frozen Tropics has a few details about the new place, which will be called The Big Board. 

The City Paper says Granville Moore's (1238 H St) is one of DC's 44 most powerful restaurants, noting that it "elevated the neighborhood standard for good food and drink beyond" thereby paving the way for the Atlas Room, Smith Commons, Liberty Tree, and Toki Underground.  (We'd add Ethiopic and Queen Vic to that list). 
Express Night Out has a nice short piece touting Toki Underground (1224 H St, 2nd fl). 

Washington Lobbyist has a quick write up with photos of Watershed in NOMA (1200 1st St NE) from Ellen & Chef Todd Gray of Equinox by the White House.  We had our first meal there recently and were impressed by the large patio (pictured in post) and really enjoyed our hush puppies, crabcakes & shrimp n grits.  It's a nice atmosphere with very good seafood for reasonable prices.

The Washington Post has this piece on Industry Gallery.

The Hill is Home has a new guest feature on live music on the Hill, which previews upcoming shows at Red Palace and Rock n Roll Hotel.  We'll have a separate post about a cool show coming up at the Rock n Roll Hotel soon.

Streetcar happy hour Wednesday, June 22, 6 p.m. at Ray's the Steaks River East

The next Sierra Club Streetcar happy hour will be on Wednesday June 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Ray's the Steaks steakhouse at 3905 Dix St. NE (very close to the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station).
Streetcar Happy Hour

On Wednesday, June 22nd at 6:00 p.m., the Sierra Club’s Washington, D.C. Chapter will hold a streetcar happy hour at Ray's Steaks, 3905 Dix St. NE, located a short walk the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station. Please join fellow sustainable transit advocates have a drink and informally discuss the streetcar system that will soon come to the District.

Directions to Ray's: After leaving the Minnesota Avenue Metro station, walk .4 miles southeast along Minnesota Avenue. Turn left onto Dix St. NE. Ray's is located on the right side of the road just past McDonald's. The V8, U4, and X2 buses all stop nearby. Capital Bikeshare stations can be found at the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station and at the Benning Branch library, located on Benning Rd. one block north of Ray's.

The Sierra Club plans to hold periodic happy hours in different neighborhoods across D.C. If you would like to suggest a location for a future happy hour, please contact Jason Broehm, chair of the Chapter’s transportation committee, at jason.broehm[@]dc.sierraclub.net.

To learn more about Washington's streetcar initiative, visit http://www.streetcars4dc.org/.

300 L St NE Valor & Ellisdale developing 6 story mixed use bldg w/ 50 new condos

Here are details on the development plans for 300 L Street NE from last weekend's CHNNA Meeting, courtesy of Board member Tony Goodman.  Valor and Ellisdale are jointly developing a 6 story, mixed-use building with about 50 condos and over 5,000 SF of retail, breaking ground early next year to delivering in Spring 2013.  We're told this was very well received at the meeting and that neighbors welcomed it as a great addition to the neighborhood.

Property development at 300 L St. NE
* Valor and Ellisdale are jointly developing the site
* Will Lansing from Valor presented a rendering and the first floor plan
* Design by PGN Architects
* Project will break ground early 2012, with construction to take about 14 months
* Approx. 48k sq ft in 6 stories, 60 feet high
* Project will not need any variances - this complies with the by-right zoning
* Retail space on the 1st floor  - 5,700 sq ft
* Seeking at least one restaurant for the space, especially at the corner of 3rd and L
* All retail is accessed from L Street; the residential lobby is on 3rd; parking and loading is from Abbey
* All existing curb cuts around this property will be closed
* 49 condo units - all 1 and 2 bedroom
* All units have large balconies
* Approx. 3 units to be affordable at 80% AMI
* Price point approx. $400-450/sq ft

Reminder: Lots happening tomorrow

There are lots of events to check out tomorrow in addition to all the usual great shows at the Atlas, H St Playhouse, Rock n Roll & Red Palace. 

9 am  - noon  H Street FreshFarm Farmers' Market opens (625 H St)
10 am - 2 pm H Street Bakes returns at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St)
10:30 - noon  DDOT Maryland Ave Pedestrian Safety Mtg @ Sherwood Rec Ctr (640 10th St)
2 pm            Pig Roast w/ Atlas Room's Matt Cordes & Great Lakes Brew Co @ LMWGD (1104 H St) (tickets required)
3 pm - 9 pm  DC Jazz Fest w/ Tacos Impala @ Gallery O on H (1354 H St) ($5)
6 pm - 11 pm Shuttle from H St to DC United Game & back to H St (stops at the Pug & Biergarten Haus)

Toyland is closed. New restaurant opening later this summer w/lunch @ 421 H St

Toyland (421 H St) is now closed.  Toyland lost its managing partners -- Erin & Garrick -- at the end of last year and by many accounts has not been the same since.  It is now closed.  Toyland was a terrific neighborhood spot under its original leadership. Fortunately some of its best aspects -- Erin and other staff members -- can be found working at Queen Vic and elsewhere on H Street. 

In its place a new restaurant is slated to open later this summer.  The new restaurant comes from new owners (the building remains under the same ownership) and will be more of a restaurant and less of a bar than Toyland was.  Few other details are available about the planned restaurant, but we are able to say that it will serve lunch and it is going to be run by neighborhood residents.  The new restaurant purchased the licenses and inventory from Toyland, so it is more likely than many new businesses to open as scheduled.

The new restaurant will join soon to open Tru Orleans and opening before long Boundary Road and Le Grenier, along with Sidamo, Ethiopic, Capitol Hill Fine Wine & Spirits, Fitness Together Capitol Hill, Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill, Studio H, and Nouveau Fleur on a revitalized western end of H Street.

East City Art roundup: closing party at Studio H tonight, 6-9 p.m.

Thursday, June 9

Studio H will host a closing party from 6 to 9pm for Mannequin by Ecuadorian Pablo Caviedes. Caviedes is of one the most important Latin American artists of his generation.  This will be your last chance to see this series exhibited in the same space.  Studio H is located at 408a H ST NE.

For more details on Art Events in the area, check out http://www.eastcityart.com/ 

The Station (525 9th St) & Engine House (1341 MD Ave) units look great & are moving

The first of the listings for these newly created units are now online and they are moving quickly. 

Engine House (1341 Maryland Ave)

#103 3 beds/2.5 baths $779,000  (under contract)
#104 3 beds/2.5 baths $750,000

The Station (525 9th St)

#1 3 beds/3.5 baths $839,900

#2 3 beds/3.5 baths $849,900
#5 1 beds/1 baths $299,000 (under contract)

Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association Meeting Sat. June 11, 10 am

Lots of events in the neighborhood this weekend.  CHNNA meets Saturday, June 11, at 10 am, at Two Rivers Elementary (1227 4th St NE).  Other events this Saturday, include a DDOT 10:30 am meeting on the Maryland Ave transporation study (at the Sherwood Rec), round two of H Street Bakes (at the Atlas), the Farmers' Market (625 H St), Kingman Island Bluegrass (Kingman Island near RFK), DC Jazz Fest (at Gallery O on H), and a Pig Roast by the Atlas Room's Mark Cordes (at Little Miss Whiskeys).  Saturday is a big day in the neighborhood. 

The Capitol Hill North Neighborhood Association will be holding it's
June meeting this coming Saturday, June 11th from 10am - noon and Two
Rivers Elementary School (1227 4th Street NE).  CHNNA's official
boundaries are from Florida to F, and the train tracks to 8th NE,
overlapping with portions of NoMa BID.  We welcome participation from
outside our borders, however (such as Trinidad, NoMa, and elsewhere on
the hill).

The meeting agenda will include the following topics:

1) Ellisdale Construction will present its plans for 300 L Street NE
2) CHNNA will Hold Officer Elections
3) Voting on Proposed By-Law Changes
4) Year-end reports from the Standing Committees
5) Summary of Meeting with Oasis Market representatives
6) Preliminary Status of Neighborhood Yard Sale
... and more

We expect to have open positions to fill on the Steering Committee, so
we are looking forward to our neighbors' involvement and energy.

Thanks,
Tony Goodman
CHNNA Steering Committee

Tru Orleans (400 H St) hiring - stop by to interview tonight 5-7 or Friday 5-8

Looking for work? Stop by Tru Orleans (400 H St) tonight between 5 and 7 p.m. or Friday between 5 and 8 p.m. to interview for a wait staff, food runner or busboy position.

Small dog missing near 11th & G Sts NE

Please keep an eye out for this missing dog, Lulu, who got out some time yesterday afternoon near 11th & G Sts NE.

 

Lulu was reported to have been near the Sherwood Recreation Center on 10th St, but remains missing currently. She's one year old, about 6 pounds, whitish-tan and very fast. 

If anyone sees her, please call Jen at 202-253-9989. Thanks!

Marvelous Pizza - casual carryout/delivery at 941 H St

Marvelous Pizza is now open at 941 H Street, next to the 7-Eleven in the H Street Connection near the corner of 10th & H.  This is the first American outpost of a small Canadian chain.  Marvelous Pizza is a casual pizza spot, offering a handful of tables for dine in, as well as carry out and delivery.  We haven't tried their offerings yet, but are sure that Capitol Hill and H Street residents will be pleased to find another pizza delivery spot around in an area with too few such spots, even if many are more likely to satisfy their cravings for quality pizza at Liberty Tree or 7th Hill.  The full menu is not yet available, but a sample of opening deals follows.  Marvelous Pizza orders can be placed at 202-546-4675.

Link roundup

The Hill Rag had a very favorable review of the Atlas Room (1015 H St) (allbeit one full of factual errors). (available in print, but not yet online).

DCMud noted the recent request for additional time before construction begins on the new development in the 600 block of H Street and suggests a soft middle on H Street between the Atlas / Entertainment District at the eastern end and the western portions where a variety of new businesses should open and a major development at 360 H St will break ground on a mixed use building that will host a grocery store a couple hundred residential units in the coming months. 

DC Mud also has this piece on a gorgeous 2 bedroom listing at Landmark Lofts.

DC Urban Turf has this piece on why the DC Housing market remains strong, noting that the single family home market on Capitol Hill -- particularly 3+ bedrooms in 20002 -- remains very strong and is up significantly over the past year.

Frozen Tropics has an update on the Pho restaurant coming to 1360 H St this fall.

The Washington Post had this terrific piece on Step Afrika who have several shows coming up at the Atlas Performing Arts Center June 15-26.

ArtVentures on H announced that the next ArtVentures on H Street walk and dine around H Street galleries and restaurants will be Thursday, June 30.  Save the date!

DDOT announced a public meeting to begin their Maryland Avenue Pedestrian Safety project this Saturday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE).  Saturday's going to be big day on H Street with the farmer's market starting at 9, H Street Bakes starting at 10, the Maryland Ave meeting at 10:30, the Atlas Room pig roast at Little Miss Whiskeys early that afternoon, another full day of Jazz Fest at Gallery O on H starting at 3, shuttles to and from the DC United home game that evening, and various good performances at the Atlas Theatre, H Street Playhouse, and other venues that night. 

DC Eater put together a pretty good list of 38 essential Washington restaurants.  H Street claimed three slots with Atlas Room, Ethiopic, and the Argonaut all making the cut.

Studio H (408 H St) announced that they're hosting a closing party for their current Pablo Ceviedes Mannequin exhibit this Thursday, from 6 - 9 pm. 

DC Council's redistricting committee appears to have a cut a deal to keep Rosedale & the parts of Capitol Hill east of 17th St, but west of the river within Ward 6.  The new map places Reservation 13 within Ward 7, but keeps Ward 6 residents west of the river in the same Ward, though it does not restore Kingman Park to Ward 6 as many -- namely residents of Kingman Park & Councilmember Tommy Wells had hoped.  The plan could still be amended before final passage, but seems to have relatively wide acceptance for the substitute amendment that is expected to be introduced by Councilmembers Michael Brown & Jack Evans tomorrow according to a post on Councilmember Wells' website.

DDOT Public Meeting on Maryland Ave Pedestrian Safety: Sat. June 11, 10:30 am @ Sherwood Rec Ctr (640 10th St NE)

The Maryland Avenue Pedestrian Safety Project will hold its first public meeting on Saturday, June 11, from 10:30 - noon, at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE).  The meeting will address public safety on Maryland Avenue NE from 2nd to 15th Streets and will likely particularly focus on the intersections of 7th & 10th Streets, which currently lack stop lights, stop signs, or other subtantial pedestrian protections.  If you'd like to see improvements to the pedestrian safety at these or other intersections along Maryland Avenue and/or want to advocate for additional bike lanes or raised cross walks in the neighborhood, this is your opportunity to do so. 

H Street Bakes Sat, June 11, 10 am-2pm @ the Atlas Performing Arts Center w/ Granville Moores Pastry Chef & other local bakers

The Next H Street Bakes pop up bakery event on H Street with Granville Moore's Executive Pasty Chef Kim Moffat and other neighborhood chefs Faith Sleeper, Amber Yankulov and Tiffany Coln, will be Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St).

Redistricting rally & public hearing tonight

Rally Before the Public Hearing: Wed., June 1 at 5:30 p.m.
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW in front of the John A. Wilson Building
Join the Capitol Hill community for a pre-hearing rally. Bring signs, friends, neighbors and your fighting spirit! Let's tell the Council that Capitol Hill means business!

Public Hearing on Re-districting: Wed., June 1 at 6 p.m.
John A. Wilson Building, Council Chamber 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 500

KEEP CAPITOL HILL TOGETHER
The D.C. Council will soon vote on a re-districting plan that would divide Capitol Hill, moving a significant part of it out of Ward 6. The plan is moving forward despite near-unanimous objections  that's why it's more important than ever that the Capitol Hill community is unified in opposition. Attend Tuesday's
meeting, rally with neighbors on Wednesday, and keep calling the Council to voice your concerns.
Capitol Hill is a diverse, yet cohesive community that has worked as one to improve every aspect of local life: schools, public safety, economic development and succeeded. Splitting Capitol Hill would diminish such efforts, divide neighbors, and also remove the most diverse part of the community and place it in another Ward.

Many of Capitol Hill's most vital community assets -- including the Southeast Waterfront and Rosedale Community Center -- would become part of another ward.  No one disputes the need for economic development in Ward 7. But it should not happen at the expense of citizens who have invested considerable time, labor and equity into these projects over the years, and would be separated from them by an arbitrary political boundary.
  
Thus far, D.C. re-districting has been a triumph of political self-interest and back-room deal making over the concerns of residents and the realities of the District's neighborhoods. Capitol Hill residents, let's continue to speak out in outrage against this plan. One city, one voice: Save Capitol Hill!

For more information, visit ANC 6B09 Commissioner Brian Flahaven's website: http://flahaven6b.com

Historic Streetcars Film Tues, June 7, at Maury Elementary (13th & Constitution)

Historic Streetcars Film


June 7 at 6:45 pm • Maury Elementary School

The CHRS June 7 membership forum, moderated by Monte Edwards, will feature Washington’s historic streetcars. Laura Trieschmann, from EHT Traceries, will talk about the history of Washington’s streetcars, including its car barns. We will see a film showing Washington’s streetcars in operation during the 1950s, and Monte Edwards and Meg Maguire will answer questions about historic streetcars. Please come and enjoy the evening, and, if you rode the old streetcars, share your experiences with the gathering.

Maury Elementary School on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 13th Street, NE, has offered its multi-purpose room for the occasion. Please enter on 13th Street. The doors will open promptly at 6:45 pm with the presentation to begin after light refreshments and a very short business meeting.

This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend; no reservations are necessary.

For more information, e-mail CapHRS@aol.com or call 543-0425.