Congrats Chancellor Kaya Henderson & everyone working & participating in our DC Schools on strong progress in recent test results

The following press release from DCPS is reproduced in full.  It looks like terrific signs of progress across all demographics and neighborhoods in DC.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Contact:       Melissa Salmanowitz,

Tuesday, July 30, 2013                                                                    

 

DCPS Students Achieve at Highest Levels Ever in Recent History

 

More District of Columbia Public (DCPS) students than ever before are proficient in math and reading on the 2013 District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessment System exam (DC CAS), according to data released today by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). DCPS students grew in every tested subject area from 2012 to 2013 in math (up 3.6 percentage points from 2012), reading (3.9 percentage points), science (1.8 percentage points) and composition (4.6 percentage points).  African-American, Asian, Hispanic and White students, as well as students relying on free and reduced priced meals, saw growth from last year in both reading and math.

 

2013-2014 Atlas Performing Arts Center Schedule of music, theatre, dance & other performances announced

2013-14 Season Performances The Atlas is proud to present a spectacular 2013·14 season of contemporary programming in music, theatre, dance and performance arts.  Contemporary. Provocative. Engaging.

What the critics are saying about the Atlas...  •    "Washington's go-to venue for those interested in the burgeoning "alt-classical" scene." -Anne  Midgette of The Washington Post •   "...a  spacious and hospitable theater that has been putting on excellent jazz." -CapitalBop.com

Season features over 80 presentations:    New Music  •    Cellist Nicholas Photinos, founding  member of eighth blackbird, with his trio and soprano Lindsay Kesselman and pianist Yasuko Oura (September 22).   •   Contemporary music giants eighth blackbird presents a new theatrical work, Columbine's Paradise Theatre,  a dark  musical fairytale of love and death, dream and delusion (November 15 and 16).   •   Composer David Little's Solider Songs combines elements of theater, opera, and rock-infused concert music exploring the perceptions versus the realities of the soldier. Features Little's ensemble Newspeak  (May 13-18, 2014). For the full New Music Series listing go here.    Jazz  •    Described  as "one of the transforming figures of early 21st century jazz," by The Guardian (UK), Steve Lehman is a composer, and performer who  works across a broad spectrum of experimental musical idioms (November 13).   •   Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-0 in a rousing holiday performance. (December 19).   •   Leading jazz singer and five-time Grammy Award nominated Nnenna Freelon  has performed with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Diana Krall (May 8, 2014). For the full Jazz Series listing go here.    World  Music  •   Considered an expert in the musical tradition of maloya from the Reunion  Island, chanteuse Christine  Salem sings in Creole, Malagasy, Comoran or Swahili (October 3).    •   Leading contemporary Native American vocalist Martha Redbone elevates traditional roots music blending Appalachian folk, Piedmont blues and gospel (April 25, 2014).   •   Dublin band I Draw Slow creates a new sound drawing on Irish traditional music and modern Americana (May 3, 2014). For the full World Music Series listings go here.    Dance •   Much-celebrated South African choreographer  and performer Gregory Maqoma performs his latest project Exit IExist (October 18-20).   •   Jonah Bokaer, an award-winning choreographer and media   artist presents Occupant originally commissioned by the Arsht Center in Miami (November 9-10.)   •   Camille Brown in Mr. TOL E. RAncE, a piece inspired by Spike Lee's movie Bamboozeled celebrates the humor and perseverance of the black performer and examines stereotypical roles dominating current popular black culture (April 3-6, 2014). For the full Dance Series listing go here.   Theatre for the Very Young  A delightful series for children ages 1-5, showcasing six  productions this season by Arts on the Horizon and Imagination Stage. For the full Theatre for the Very Young series go here. Special Presentations  Liner Notes from Paige Hernandez and B-Fly Entertainment, SOLE Defined from Quynn Johnson and Ryan Johnson and  Step Afrika!’s enthusiastic and popular Magical Holiday Step Show. For the full listing of Special Presentations go here.    Plus...  Fifth annual INTERSECTIONS Festival Over 125 multidisciplinary and collaborative performances from some of the best established and emerging artists from Washington, DC and beyond (February 21 -March  8, 2014.)

Streetcar connection to Union Station/intial Western terminus construction update & traffic changes

Traffic Switch Takes Effect today on H Street from 4th Street to top of Hopscotch Bridge
 

Construction work along H Street/Benning Road to ready the corridor for DC Streetcar continues. Stage 2 of the Western Turnaround work is set to begin on Wednesday, July 31 and continue through mid-October. The Western Turnaround refers to the extension of the streetcar tracks from 3^rd Street NE to the top of the Hopscotch Bridge. Elements include construction of a streetcar platform where passengers may board or leave the streetcars with access to Union Station and tracks to allow the streetcar to reverse course and proceed eastbound through the corridor. 

 

Most noticeable for motorists traveling in this area will be a shift from using the north side to using the south side of H Street.

Traffic and parking restrictions and changes are as follows:

• At 4^th Street, westbound H Street traffic will be shifted to a single lane on the north side. During Stage 1, westbound traffic used a middle lane from 4^th Street to the top of Hopscotch Bridge.
• On Hopscotch Bridge, eastbound H Street traffic will be shifted to a single lane in the middle of the roadway to 4^th Street. During Stage 1, eastbound traffic used the south curb lane to 4^th Street.
• No-Parking restrictions in the 300 and 400 blocks of H Street will continue, just as in Stage 1.
• No-Turn restrictions at 3^rd Street will remain in effect for vehicular traffic.
• The 3^rd Street crosswalk on the north side of H Street will be open to pedestrian traffic.
• Pedestrian detour signs will be installed for the 3^rd Street crosswalk on the south side of H Street and both crosswalks crossing H Street at 3^rd Street. Vehicular and pedestrian restrictions at 3^rd Street will remain in effect until mid-October.
• The X1/X2 Metrobus stop on the south side of H Street will be temporarily relocated to the mid-500 block, from its current temporary location near 4^th Street. Its original location was just west of 3^rd Street.
• The X1/X2 Metrobus stop on the north side of H Street will remain at its current temporary location just east of 4^th Street for the duration of Stage 2.
• The southbound D8 Metrobus route to Union Station will be rerouted along K Street to North Capitol Street, bypassing the regular stops at 4^th & K Streets, 4^th & H Streets, and 3^rd & H Streets. There will be no change in the northbound D8 route to Washington Hospital Center.

Summer Sicilian Wine Dinner at Boundary Road Wednesday, July 31

DC Streetcar update: midline power substation installation begins today at 12th & H

Midline substation installation begins today at 12th & H

 The DC Streetcar construction team plans to start work on the streetcar system’s Traction Power Substation on 12^th Street, just south of the H Street intersection today. The majority of preliminary utility work around the proposed substation was completed in April.

The Midline Substation, whose design was approved by the Commission of Fine Arts in May 2013, will be a safe, fully-enclosed, sound-resistant structure that houses equipment to power the streetcars along the middle segment of the H Street line. It is located on the west side of 12^th Street, next to the existing building and south of the Khan’s Bar & Grill sidewalk café.



The contractor will work weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and anticipates the work will take approximately two months. This work involves sidewalk demolition, completing the final connections for electric power and utilities, and constructing the substation slab, walls and roof. The electrical equipment will then be delivered, unloaded, and installed on-site.

To help ensure pedestrian safety, access to the H Street and 12^th Street sidewalks near the work zone will be blocked and signs will guide pedestrians to alternative walkways. Daytime street parking will be temporarily suspended on 12^th Street adjacent to the work zone on weekdays.

Customer and employee access will be fully maintained to Khan’s Bar & Grill on the southwest corner of 12^th and H Streets, the sidewalk café along 12^th Street, and the 12^th Street stairwell entrance to the roof lounge of the Twelve Restaurant. The work zone will be screened to prevent dust from blowing into the restaurant area. The DC Streetcar construction team has worked closely with the owners of both establishments to coordinate the work so as to minimize business disruptions.

The schedule is subject to change due to weather, material and equipment availability and other unforeseen conditions.

Great Streets grants available for H Street businesses. Info Meeting Monday, July 29, 6:30 pm at Douglas Mem Church (11th & H)

This looks like a great opportunity to upgrade a façade or add a new sign for a local business.  Informational meeting next Monday, 6:30 pm, at the Douglas Memorial United Methodist Church (11th & H).

 

Save the Date for the H Street Festival - DC's biggest & best street festival Saturday, September 21, 10 blocks of fun on H Street from 4th & 14th St

Save the date: the H Street Festival returns Saturday, September 21!  This year, the festival will expand its western reach all the way to 4th Street - offering 10 full blocks of arts, music, dining, shopping, and all around fun. 

Last year, nearly 70,000 people attended and at times the festival space -- which was limited to 6 blocks -- felt a bit crowded.  Festival organizers have been hoping to expand west for the past couple years and hopefully the addition of these four more blocks between 4th and 8th Street will help alleviate congestion, while adding to the fun and the level of participation along the entire corridor.

You wont want to miss it. 

Old City CrossFit coming to 810 H St

H Street has been pining for a gym for as long as I can remember.  In coming years, we're likely to get a large full service one in an upcoming development, but in the meantime we've been getting by with personal training studios Fitness Together (408 H St) and Effervescence Personal Training Studio (1309 Linden Court -- in the alley behind the Atlas). 

It looks like we'll soon be adding a CrossFit studio to help bridge the gap.  Old City CrossFit is now building out 810 H Street in hopes of opening later this summer.  It will be located directly across from the H Street Connection and next door to a planned organic market. 

Old City CrossFit plans to offer hour long, group based training sessions which include a warm up, strength training, mobility work, and a daily workout.  Activities will include a variety of weightlifting, gymnastics, kettle bell, and other functional exercises.  They will offer various membership packages including an unlimited membership, a 3 class per week membership, and drop in pay as you go classes (the first one is free while subsequent classes are $20).  Follow their construction progress on Facebook and look for them working out on H Street before long.

DC Scoop -- free ice cream sampling this Sunday,1-4 pm, at Union Market

DC Scoop is a fun event featuring pretty much every top notch ice cream and frozen treats purveyor from around DC.  It was one of the first big events to be held at Union Market and last year Union Market's own vendor Trickling Springs Creamery won for the best ice cream (it was and remains our favorite).  While Trickling Springs offers outstanding ice cream each week Wednesday through Sunday at Union Market (we especially like their coffee and butter peacon flavors and just about any flavored milk shake), this is great opportunity to taste some other terrific ice creams and gelatos from around town for free.  Stop by Union Market and enjoy some cool treats amidst this hot weather. 

 

DC Public Schools Beautification Day is Saturday, August 24, 9 am - 1 pm

The annual DC Public Schools Beautification Day will be held this year on Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  This event was established in 2005 as a citywide “spruce up” of all DC public school buildings in preparation for the first day of school. Beautification efforts will include landscaping, trash pick-up, light painting, planting flowers, and other external beautification efforts. Volunteers and supplies are needed at over 100 schools. Please click the links below to volunteer or donate supplies.

We have lots of local DCPS in our neighborhood from Capitol Hill Montessori (3rd & G), to Peabody (5th & C), to Ludlow Taylor (7th & G), to JO Wilson (6th & K), to School Within a School (10th & F), to Maury (13th & Constitution), to Miner (15th & F), odds are good that if you live near H Street, you are a short walk away from a DC Public School.  If you're in town August 24, set aside a morning to volunteer at one of our many local schools. 

Click here to register to volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions

Join Councilmember Tommy Wells for his H Street Community Office Hours this Thursday, July 18, 8-9:30 am at Batter Bowl Bakery (403 H St)

Please join Councilmember Tommy Wells and your neighbors for his H Street Community Office Hours on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at the Batter Bowl Bakery located at 403 H Street, NE from 8:00 am - 9:30 am. This is a great opportunity to discuss issues and concerns in your neighborhood with the Councilmember and members of his staff. Please contact Pat Joseph at 202-724-8072 or pjoseph @ DCCouncil DOT us if you have any questions.

Weekend East City Art Event Roundup

Weekend East City Event Round Up: Super Summer Edition

Friday July 12

Open Studio DC (5pm to 7pm)

Open Studio DC hosts Masthead Print Studio. The printing group is completing their free screen printing Mid-Atlantic workshop tour. For more information click here.

Open Studio is located at 1348 Florida Avenue NE.

 

Honfleur Gallery (6pm to 9pm)

DC’s Native son and beloved artist BK “I am art” Adams has created a multi-media exhibition at Honfleur titled Mynd Up. The opening includes a surprise site specific installation. For more information.

Honfleur Gallery is located at 1241 Good Hope Road SE.

 

The Gallery at Vivid Solutions (6pm to 9pm)

In powerfully titled Chocolate City Rest in Peace, Steven Cummings black and white photographic essay takes the viewer into an era that has only recently vanished. For more information click here.

The Gallery at Vivid Solutions is located at 1241 Good Hope Road SE.

 

Saturday July 13

Art Enables (1pm to 4pm)

Art Enables celebrates the rise of Brookland as one of East City’s emerging art centers with a group show featuring Ward 5 artists who work in a variety of mediums. For more information click here.

Art-Enables 2204 Rhode Island Avenue NE.

 

CONNERSMITH (6pm to 9pm)

CONNERSMITH’s annual Academy exhibition showcases the work of emerging talent from among the most promising art students in the Washington-Baltimore area. For more information click here.

CONNERSMITH is located at 1358 Florida Avenue NE.

G Fine Art (6pm to 8pm)

Chicago-based Jefferson Pinder’s Revival is a sequel to the artists’ 2006 musical Juke in which he explores racial identity and the cultural appropriation of music. For more information click here.

G Fine Art is located at 1350 Florida Avenue NE.

Open Studio DC (6pm to 8pm)

Open Studio DC’s second weekend event is a pop up by a group of emerging print artist who have called themselves the “Young Masters without Masters.” For more information click here

Open Studio is located at 1348 Florida Avenue NE.

 

 

Phil Hutinet is the Editor-in-Chief of East City Art. You can get more information about East City Art on Facebook by follow them on Twitteror click hereto sign up for their newsletter.

Ben's Chili Bowl breaks ground on buildout at 10th & G NE, hopes to open later this year

It's been a year and a half since plans for Ben's Chili Bowl to fill 1001 H Street were first reported, but until recently there's been no visible progress on site.  We're pleased to report that Ben's has finally obtained the permits necessary to move forward and has broken ground on site.  Plans call for the former George's Place building to house a Ben’s Chili Bowl on the first level and a concept more akin to Ben’s Next Door -- with sit down service and a bar -- on the second floor. 

The building itself will continue to be two stories tall, but will have higher ceilings.  The upstairs restuarant will also offer a roof deck.  If construction goes well, we'll have a Ben's on H Street by the end of the year.

Pop up preview of Maketto from Toki Underground Chef Erik Bruner Yang at Hanoi House (14th & U) starting July 15, $30 prix fixe + dim sum cart

CHEF ERIK BRUNER-YANG PRESENTS MAKETTO: A RESIDENCY at the HANOI HOUSE (2005 14^th Street NW)

Maketto’s Executive Chef and co-owner Erik Bruner-Yang is pleased to announce a three-month residency and test kitchen at Hanoi House on 14^th Street.  Maketto, DURKL's Will Sharp and Bruner-Yang’s modern mixed-retail and restaurant marketplace located at 1351 H Street NE, is not set to open until late 2013. This time of experimentation will allow Bruner-Yang and the entire Maketto team, including chef de cuisine James Wozniuk, to cook food inspired by their love affair with authentic Asian street food. Hanoi House will serve dinner only at $30 per person, family-style, with no accommodations for allergies or dietary restrictions. A dim sum cart will also be available throughout the evening a la carte.  The menu will change often.

The Maketto residency at Hanoi House begins on July 15, 2013 and will be open six days a week, Monday-Saturday at 5 p.m. (closed Sundays.)  Space is limited and reservations are required.  Reservations may be made directly online via Hanoi House’s OpenTable at www.hanoihousedc.com beginning July 8, 2013. 

Streetcar construction update: overheard catenary system installation at south side of Starburst intersection (15th & Benning Rd)

Starburst Intersection Work Moves to South Side; New Restrictions Apply for about one week  

On Monday, July 8, the DC Streetcar construction team plans to implement traffic and pedestrian restrictions on the south side of the Starburst intersection of Benning Road and 15th Street.

The restrictions will be in place for approximately one week to facilitate drilling the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) foundations on the southeast corner of the intersection. The OCS foundations are part of the overhead catenary infrastructure required to power the streetcar system.

The construction team completed similar OCS foundation work on the northeast corner of the same intersection on Tuesday, July 2 – several days earlier than anticipated – and has restored the normal traffic and pedestrian patterns and bus stops that were restricted during the north-side work.

The new south-side restrictions are as follows:

 

Traffic Restrictions

• Northeast-bound traffic on Maryland Avenue from the middle of the 1400 block through the Starburst intersection will be restricted to one lane.
• Northbound traffic on 15th Street from the middle of the 700 block to the Starburst intersection will be restricted to one lane.
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  Eastbound traffic on H Street east from 14th Street, across the intersection and on Benning Road to the middle of the 1500 block will be restricted, tapering to begin a single-lane restriction at 15th Street.

Pedestrian Restrictions

• The northbound/southbound Benning Road crosswalk will be closed at the east side of the 15th Street intersection; pedestrians on Benning Road will be directed to cross at the 16th Street crosswalk.

Bus Stop Change

• The B2 Metrobus stop on the east side of 15th Street south of the Benning Road intersection will be relocated approximately 80 feet south of its current location.

Parking Restrictions

• Parking will be prohibited on the east side of 15th Street between Benning Road and the alley adjacent to 713 15th Street NE.

Click here to view a map.

Advance warning signs will be posted. The schedule is subject to change due to weather, material and equipment availability and other unforeseen conditions.

Thank you for your patience. We encourage you to contact us at any time to share concerns or request more information. Please direct inquiries to construction@dcstreetcar.com. For DC Streetcar details, please go to dcstreetcar.com.