Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Link roundup

DC Modern Luxury has a really nice piece that captures the allure of Church & State (1238 H St) very well.  Warning, you will want to go straight there for a classic cocktail after reading, so you might want to wait until close of business to do so.

The Examiner touts Sticky Rice (1224 H St), explaining that their "specialties really shine.
Atypical?  Unconventional?  “Not real sushi?”  Maybe... but delicious, inventive and enough to make this true foodie drool."

The Argonaut (1433 H St) announced that they are adding lunch Wednesday through Friday to their already strong brunch business on the weekends.  The Argonaut has been a pioneer on H Street and was the first good brunch option, so hopefully they are going to be leading the way to an expansion of weekday lunch offerings as well.

The Washington Post was one of a few stories about how great Argonaut 2.0 is with their steamed shrimp and other seafood baskets.  It will be great fun to enjoy one of those on the patio as the weather improves. 

The Hill is Home has a nice interview with ANC6A Commissioner Sharee Lawler and enjoyed some dance classes at Joy of Motion Dance at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

The Washington Business Journal (Tierney Plumb) reports that Sticky Rice received a facade improvement grant, which will hopefully help them with their expansion into the building next door to them.  WBJs Mike Neibauer reported that DDOT has taken the next step for streetcars with a Feb. 23 request for information from transit operators interested in operating and maintaining the citywide streetcar system, which he reports will be used to shape the RFP.

Wonkette says Smith Commons (1245 H St) is a sign of great progress on H Street and our version of Birth & Barley.

Zagat Buzz is eager to see Toki Underground (1234 H St) open soon and thinks they are very close


The Post's Going Out Gurus also gave a great bit of advice about fun nights out on H Street, recommending Biergarten--> Little Miss Whiskeys to one person, Smith Commons or The Pug --> H Street Country Club to another, and offering the Atlas Room as a great spot to celebrate a birthday to a guy who couldn't get a reservation at Proof.  We approve all around. 

The Post also had this fun piece on a couple who held their wedding at Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St) on H Street.  We love the photo gallery and the idea.

DC Urban Turf has a brief summary piece on the progress at Flats at the Atlas (1600 Maryland Ave) development now in progress, noting that it should be done in a couple years and that their are other signs of development progress


Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space expects the pace of progress to quicken greatly when streetcars start running down H Street in another year or so and anticipates a significant increase in retail and residential construction.

Monday, March 7, 2011

What's going on with...Tru Orleans, HR-57, Bikeshare & the streetcar/streetscape

400 H Street -- Tru Orleans construction is now well-underway with an open second level being installed above the preexising single story building.  Last we'd heard a voluntary agreement to address noise and other community impacts had not been finalized with ANC6C and the ANC had authorized a protest of the liquor license pending an agreement. 
Open air second floor being installed at 400 H St

816 H Street -- HR-57 Facade work occured and a sign went up about a week ago.  We're told this has been slowed by the usual construction and permitting issues, but the recent facade improvement and signage gives us hope that we are close.  The sign says Jazz and Blues.  We believe you'll see both here and eventually two separate HR-57 outposts on H Street with one for Jazz and another for Blues.


New green paint and temporary sign for HR-57 Jazz & Blues at 816 H St

Street Construction  DDOT began doing sidewalks up the south side of the street, starting with the 500 and 600 blocks and plans to work their way east.  Tracks have crossed up to 12th Street on the south side.  The 1300 block had been on hold for the H Street Festival, but demolition has begun on the north side.  And trees were planted along the north side in the treeboxes last week starting at 13th Street and working steadily to the western end, expected to finish the north side of the street today.  When the planting is complete, over 200 new trees will have been planted on H Street.  Another 19 are going in via neighborhood volunteer labor at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St) in a few weeks thanks to Casey Trees.   

Bikeshare and racks?  Bikeshare keeps promising more stations in the area, but the long-promised spot near 10th & H has yet to materialize.  We're told it is still in the works in the coming months.  In the meantime, bicycle parking is being installed.  CHAMPS and WABA came together to install them at Cap City Diner and the Argonaut in recent days.  Check out Julia Christian's photo of the new ones at the Argonaut, installed last week.

PSA 102 meeting w/ CM Tommy Wells tomorrow 7 pm at Sherwood Recreation Center

Councilmember Wells plan to attend tomorrow's PSA 102 meeting.  The February meeting was poorly attended, but this is a good opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions.  

REMINDER - PSA 102 MEETING - March 8th- SHERWOOD RECREATION CENTER

PSA 102 Public Safety Meeting
Sherwood Recreation Center - 10th and G Streets NE
Tuesday: 7:00 p.m.

This month's PSA 102 meeting will feature guest speaker Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells. Come join us for a discussion on crime issues within PSA 102. We intend to have an open Q&A session with members of MPD as well as with Councilman Wells. Please come with your concerns on both specific and general public safety issues for PSA 102.

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**** PSA 102 meetings enable residents and police to discuss, identify and take action against crime and other quality of life issues in the community. The meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at the Sherwood Recreation Center, 10th and G Streets NE. Normal times are 7-8:30 p.m.

The PSA 102 boundaries are (clockwise) the railroad tracks at Union Station, Florida Ave NE, Maryland Ave NE, 9th St, East Capitol St, 2nd St, Massachusetts Ave, and Columbus Circle. ****

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PSA 102, photos, crime maps and more go to
http://mpd1dpsa102.blogspot.com/

QUESTIONS? Contact:

Brandon Bies
Volunteer PSA 102 Citizen Co-Coordinator
communitysafetywalk@gmail.com

Bobby Pittman
PSA 102 Citizen Co-Coordinator
psa102coordinatormpd@gmail.com

Lt. Vendette Parker
PSA 102 Lieutenant
vendette.parker@mpd.com

Friday, March 4, 2011

The Pug starts celebrating Mardi Gras tonight

The Pug's (1234 H St) Mardi Gras party starts today through Tuesday with $3 Abitas.
On Mardi Gras Tuesday itself, they will have $3 Abitas, $5 Bud Light 24 oz Bad Boy cans, homemade red beans and rice, and Louisiana music all night.


Details to come on St. Patrick's Day plans, but they include being open early (10:30 a.m.).

Thursday, March 3, 2011

City Paper on Argonaut's rebirth and growth

Today's City Paper has this great piece on the Argonaut's rebirth with an interesting piece on some culinary additions to their menu, including the steamed seafood, some local sustainable upgrades, and a variety of dishes that are cooked in beer, including chocolate stout wings, which they say "taste a lot better than they look."  We think the piece very nicely catures the good job the Argonaut has done improving over time and through the fire and construction, while maintaining their casual neighborhood charm.  Happy neighborhood night to a great neighbor!

H Street Rita's Water Ice reopens Friday, March 11

H Street Rita's Water Ice reopens at 1014 H Street on Friday, March 11.  They'll celebrate their grand reopening with free water ice on the first day of spring, Sunday, March 20.  They've reported that there will be some new flavors via their twitter account, including Mango-Orange, Strawberry-Banana, Mint Oreo, and Pear.  Rita's Water Ice is open daily from noon until 8 p.m. and located next door to Liberty Tree.

Adam Healy hosts ANC6A01 SMD meeting Mon, March 7, 7 p.m.

Greetings neighbors.

I'm excited to announce the details of my first Single Member District (SMD) meeting as the new ANC6A01 Commissioner.  After a few problems finding a location, the kind folks at Pilgrim Baptist Church at 700 I Street NE have graciously agreed to allow me to hold my SMD meetings at the church.  

The first meeting will be Monday, March 7 from 7-8 p.m.  If you live in 6A01 (H Street NE to Florida Ave NE and from 7th to 13th Sts NE) I welcome you to come and meet with your neighbors to talk about community concerns.  If you can't make it, you're always welcome to call or email me with questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Thank you.

Adam
______________________________________
Adam C. Healy
Commissioner, ANC 6A01
Chair, ANC6A ABL Committee
202.556.0215
Twitter: AdamCHealy