City Gallery (804 H St) Opening Reception: March 6, 6-9 pm

City Gallery opens at 804 H St on March 6 with a grand opening reception from 6-9 pm. Stop by and check them out before a show at the Intersections or a night out on H St.

For more information on this exciting new gallery located near the major intersection of 8th and H Sts, check out our previous coverage and read about the Gallery's plans and mission from portions of the press release reproduced below.

“One of the main goals of City Gallery is to provide quality art that is accessible to everyone. Our pieces are very reasonably priced allowing anyone to purchase original work” says Phil Hutinet, director and partner at City Gallery. “There is something for everyone—watercolors, oil paintings, prints, photography, ceramic art, sculpture, glass work, even engraving.”

The gallery represents over 20 local painters, sculptors, photographers, engravers and printmakers. Every year, all artist members will display their work in a group show. The gallery will then host solo shows by individual members monthly. Over the summer, the gallery will host an annual juried show which will be open to both members and non-member artists from around the region.

The Grand opening of City Gallery on March 6, 2010 will feature works by all of the City Gallery members: Geoff Ault, Gina Clapp, Ellen Cornett, Marilyn Christiano, Sheryl Denbo, Nancy Donnelly, Jill Finsen, Will Fleishell, Tara Hamilton, Martha Huizenga, Tom Kenyon, Gayle Krughoff, Lynne Mallonee Schlimm, Liz Lescault, Anne Oman, M.M. Panas, Sarah Porter, Tom Pullin, Ronnie Spiewak, Wally Szyndler and Cissy Webb.

“In my experience, people hesitate when investing in their first piece as they are fearful that they may overpay. Very often I hear concerns over the valuation and the quality of what is being sold. We can help with this” says Director Phil Hutinet. “We can also help you with everything you need from selecting the right hanging system to installing lighting to showcase a collection in your home or office”

Intersections Weekend Two Specials: Tickets as low at $10 now through 8pm

Weekend Two Six Hour Specials!
Hop on line and roar into INTERSECTIONS with $10 tickets to:

Jay Walkers at the Intersection (2/26 at 7:30 PM) & Kathleen Gonzales The Bridge of Bodies(2/26@ 7:30 show only). Use promo code: READY.

For $16 see SpeakeasyDC's Wetbacks, Aliens and Towelheads: Stories from the First Generation. Use promo code: GETSET.

For $20 (adult) see Washington Savoyard's Treemonisha by Scott Joplin (2/26 @ 8 PM show only). Use promo code: GO.

Order on-line only from 2pm - 8pm on Thursday, February 25th. www.intersectionsdc.org. Race you ... to INTERSECTIONS.

For more information on Treemonisha, you can check out this very favorable review over at DC Theatre Scene.

Capital City Diner opened today at 6 am

And like the soft opening this past weekend, they were packed throughout the day. Newschannel 8 has this report and Tim Carman at the City Paper reports on the lunch time visit from the diner's past owners.

My first impressions are that people are going to love the place, but remember that it is a small diner and that there are only a few people working at any given time with limited space to prepare food. In other words, while my lunch time "fat boy breakfast" meal today was delicious, they were swamped and not moving very quickly, so if you go over the next coupled days, you should be prepared to cut them a little slack as is the case with any new business working out opening kinks, especially among heavy crowds. That said, be sure to check this place out soon. For more on the delicious food, check out this post from Brunch and the City.

Intersections: One great weekend down, weekend two fast approaching

Intersections: the three weekend festival extravaganza at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St) got off to a fantastic start last weekend. Atlas Performing Arts Center Communications Director Jen DeMayo reports several excellent performances were well-attended and that the biggest hitch to date has been providing parking, some of which is available for purchase in a lot across the street. If you didn't make to any of them, you'll have the opportunity to see a few of those perfomances repeated this weekend or sample a few new ones.

Treemonisha from the Washington Savoyards (a resident company at the Atlas) is the sole Scott Joplin Opera and one that is rarely performed was well-received by a packed house last weekend and was a one of the Festival's featured performances in the WP preview. It will be performed again Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm, and there will be a matinee performance on Sunday at 2 pm.

On Friday night, Stickey Mulligan who draws from Celtic, jazz and funk influences will play two FREE concerts at 6:30 and 10:30, so these are great pre or post-Treemonisha options. Also opening Friday evening is Wetbacks, Aliens and Towelheads: Stories from the First Generation. Five SpeakeasyDC artists tell true stories about being children of immigrant parents or immigrants themselves. This performance was also highlighted in the WP preview.

Also on Saturday night, Grammy-nominated, DC native Christylez Bacon offers the world premiere of his own story: In Pursuit of Me, a merging of music and theatre by one of Washington hip-hop’s rising stars. The Washington Post featured Bacon recently in this piece.

On Sunday at 7:30, Busboys and Poets presents The City in Words. Featured poets for this event, include:
Dana Erekat (Palestinian-American poet); Ebaby & DJ Tao, (African-American & White American duo); Jenny Lares (Asian-American, queer poet) from Sulu DC; and headlining, Fly Gypsy, (African-American & Russian duo).

The full schedule for this three weekend festival is here and tickets can be purchase here.

Tennis playing organizing meeting Wednesday, February 24, 6 pm at Sherwood Recreation Center

Looking forward to spring and summer? Tennis is great way to shake off the winter blues and get in shape and you can play on a nice public court in your neighborhood.

Anyone interested in playing tennis this spring/summer should come to our organizing meeting Wednesday, February 24, at 7pm at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE). The Recreation Center features a nice tennis court at the corner of 9th and G Streets NE.

All are welcome no matter your skill level. Even if you have never played before, but have always wanted to learn, or if you just want to enhance your game. We are a group on capitol hill that definitely likes to have fun!

COME BE A PART OF NET RESULTS TENNIS TEAM

Anyone interested in joining the Net Results Tennis Team and learning more about the 2010 WATL/USTA Tennis League. In 2009, our ladies came in first place in DC and went to the mid-atlantic sectionals!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th Street NE

Questions about the League or about our team?
Call Stanley White
Net Results Tennis Service
8604 Briarcroft Ln.
Laurel, Maryland 20708
202-230-6097/202-340-3072
sbwhite10s@yahoo.com

Family Day at Intersections; great performances and kickoff party tonight

Today is Family Day at the Intersections Festival. The Festival kicked off last night to great crowds for the first performance of Treemonisha and an awesome show by Grabielismo Productions’ Bemcha Latin Jazz Band.

Family Day gets started with Capitol Hill Arts Workshop at 12:30. There's also a Family Day concert with Christyles Bacon at 1:30 and National Children's Museum interactive activities this afternoon.

This evening gets going with Politics and Prose Bookstore with Steven Roberts reading parts of his new book From Every End of this Earth and tonight you can check out Treemonisha or Marva Hicks -- both of which were highly touted in the WP yesterday and stick around for the Festival Opening Party with the Grabelismo Trio.

The full schedule for this three weekend festival is here and for more information you can read previews from the WP and The Hill is Home.

WP features nearly open Capital City Diner

This article is on the front page of today's metro section.

Intersections Opens Tonight; discount tickets available today for Marva Hicks tomorrow

Intersections opens tonight.

You can read about some of the highlighted performances in this WP piece. Tickets for one of those performances are on sale today for $15, regularly priced at $25.

Opening Day Special

$15 tickets are available for first performance of An Evening with Marva Hicks. From Gospel to Broadway with an Arena Stage star. Saturday, 2/20 @ 7:30 PM. Use promo code: ArenaStar. Order on-line only by 6pm TONIGHT, Friday, Feb 19th.

Take a look at the full schedule of events and grab tickets to one or more of these great shows. Tickets are still available for tonight's Bemcha Latin Jazz concert and good seats can be had for tomorrow's Treemonisha by Scott Joplin, which was featured in today's Post.

Don't forget that Sticky Rice, Granville Moore's, the Argonaut, H Street Country Club, and the Rock and Roll Hotel are offering 10% off to Festival patrons.

A few miscellany updates

ANC approves new licenses for Biergarten, Souk, and Rock & Roll
At the February 11 ANC6A meeting, the ANC approved voluntary agreements to allow the license applications for liquor licenses for Biergarten Haus and for Souk to proceed to the ABRA. Souk plans to add a small bar and hopes to add a patio this spring. The ANC also signed off on a modification to the Rock and Roll Hotel's license to permit them to operate a roof top deck under an agreement similar to the one recently approved for H Street Country Club.

The Washington Post features the Intersections Festival
They seem excited about it and mention that Saturday is Family day, noting that a number of performances are free.

Also in the WP, some love for Sticky Rice
I haven't been in a while, but this will get me back there soon, maybe before or after an Intersections performance this weekend or next.

Liberty Tree is getting closer and closer and looking good
The website is a work in progress, but bits and pieces and a menu are up.

And, Dangerously Delicious is still doing their best to open soon
They plan to kick off the 1st Ever PIE-N-ROCK-N-ROLL TOUR 2010 with owner/baker/artist RODNEY 'PIE MAN' HENRY at the DC location Friday, March 12, before taking the show on the road to Ashville, Athens, Orlando, and NOLA before the end of the month.

It's going to be an exciting next month or two with Intersections going on the next few weekends and Capital City Diner, Dangerously Delicious, Liberty Tree, and Biergarten all joining us soon.

Intersections Festival begins this weekend; Tickets discounted today until 6 pm

This weekend is the first weekend of the Intersections Art Festival at the Atlas Theatre. There are tons of great shows and peformances coming. They are runnning a special on opening weekend tickets today until 6 pm, so check out the promotion below. Note also that a number of H Street estasblishments are offering 10% off to patrons of the festival on the day they attend a performance. Buy your tickets for this weekend now.

INTERSECTIONS: Opening Weekend Specials -- 24 hours only! Start your festival engine and roar into INTERSECTIONS

$10 tickets to:
Jason Ignacio Garcia's The Mountain (2/19 @ 7:30 PM)
Grabielismo Productions' Bemcha Latin Jazz Band (2/19 @ 9:30 PM)
and Kathleen Gonzales The Bridge of Bodies (2/19 @ 7:30 PM & 2/20 @ 7:30 PM shows only). Use promo code: READY.

For $15 adult/$10 student see Coyaba Dance Theater/Tappers With Attitude/Urban Artistry's ORIGINS (2/20 @ 2PM & 2/21 @ 7 PM).
Use promo code: SET.

For $20 (adult) see Washington Savoyards' Treemonisha by Scott Joplin (2/20 @ 8 PM & 2/21 @ 2 PM shows only).
Use promo code: GO.

Order on-line only by 6pm on Thursday, February 18th.
Race you ... to INTERSECTIONS!

And all Festival long, you can Dine in the Atlas District.

Festival patrons can take their INTERSECTIONS ticket on the day of their performance to one of our Festival-Five partner establishments, The H Street Country Club (1335 H St), Sticky Rice (1224 H St), The Argonaut (1430 Maryland), Granville Moore's (1238 H St) and The Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St) and receive 10% off their check. So DO ART and EAT all on H Street NE.

Capital City Diner opens Tuesday

They passed their health inspection and received their Certificate of Occupancy from DCRA yesterday. The City Paper has the opening menus up.

Capital City Diner
1050 Bladensburg Rd
202-396-DINR

Tues-Thurs 6 am - 10 pm
Friday 6 am through Sunday 5 pm
Closed Mondays

Reminder: Haiti Fundraiser at Sova tonight at 7:30

The date auction at Sova to raise money for Haiti relief through Doctor's Without Borders is tonight at 7:30.

Today's Washington Post features the event as an Editor's pick and suggests arriving early to partake in Sova's excellent happy hour.

Link roundup

The City Paper takes an early look at the soon-to-open Capital City Diner (1050 Bladensburg) and suggests it may open by the end of the month.

Frozen Tropics announced that Toyland (421 H St) officially opened on February 10 and is now open 6 days a week at 5 pm (closed Mondays).

DC Urban Turf says Trinidad may be the next great real estate hot spot, noting that properties flew off the market there in 2009 (50% more sales than in 2008), that assessments were recently up 33% over the course of a year, and that the southwest portion of that neighborhood seems to be the most desirable (ie the parts closest to H Street, such as Florida Ave from 10th to 15th).

We Love DC featured the Evolve Urban Arts Project Gallery at the Pierce School Lofs (1375 Maryland Ave).

Voice of the Hill noted that the city's planning office has proposed an entirely new zoning category to benefit development of the plot behind Union Station along both sides of the Hopskotch bridge. The proposed change appears to be designed to allow Akridge Development's Burnham Place project to rise as high as 130 ft above the bridge, which would violate the H Street Overlay and the City's comprehensive plan (because maximum height should otherwise be measured from the ground below the bridge (ie 82 ft lower) and tower over surrounding buildings.

Nouveau Fleur (500 H St)

Nouveau Fleur (500 H St) (543-8616) is a full service florist selling individual flowers, arrangements, wedding and party designs, sympathy tributes, plants and gourmet gift baskets. It has been owned and operated by Debbie Moultry for about two years now.

Debbie Moultry’s store offers beautiful bouquets and feels more like her lovely home than formal florist shop. In addition to creating beautiful flower arrangements, the store offers plants and boutique candles. Debbie is a trained master gardener, so she can dispense advice caring for your cut flowers or living plants.

Debbie is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and poses an abundance of the charticteristic Midwest kidness. She creates floral arrangements to suit the least well-informed husband or boyfriend and can work to provide just the right thing for your vase or color scheme. She does weddings and other special events and delivers throughout the District and nearby suburbs. She stocks very high quality flowers and arranges them exquisitely, so there is no mistaking the bouquets she creates for something you might grab at the grocery store or have fedexed from a major online distributor.

Nouveau Fleur is open Monday through Saturday. Weekdays until 5:30 and Saturdays until 3:30 p.m. It is exactly the type of retail small business that we want to see more of on H Street, so if you haven't been stop by, introduce yourself, and pick up some flowers to brighten your home or someone else's day.

And she's open today for last minute Valentine's offerings. Give her a call or stop by after your next trip to Sidamo.

Nouveau Fleur
500 H Street
(202) 543-8616

Reminder: Opening Reception for Orchestrated Misbehavior at Evolve today from 4-7

The new exhibit from Erica Ricadelli officially opens at Evolve Urban Arts (1375 Maryland Ave) today from 4- 7 pm. A unique tasting menu and beverages will be paired with selected works.

Orchestrated Misbehavior stems from Ms. Riccardelli's penchant for carefully arranging her pictorial components into fanciful tableaux vivants. Born in Germany, this self-described "army brat" spent most of her formative years transferring between her father's multiple postings throughout the U.S. On the long car rides spent driving from one "home" to another "home", she passed time by gazing at the landscape whirring by, imagining herself as a princess, or a damsel imbued with magical powers. With a self-described "fondness for the absurd", Ms. Riccardelli now brings these daydreams to reality by inserting herself into engaging juxtapositions that simultaneously reflect her dark humor and romantic aesthetic.

The exhibit will remain on display through March 27. Evolve's regular hours are Monday through Friday 1-4 pm.

New Gallery Opening: City Gallery at 804 H Street

City Gallery will open at 804 H Street March 6. You can read the press release below.

City Gallery Grand Opening

Located in the bustling H Street corridor, City Gallery will join the growing list of existing arts destinations in the area including Connor Contemporary, the Atlas Theatre and Industry Gallery.

City Gallery will bridge the burgeoning artistic community of the Capitol Hill-H Street Corridor with the growing art market of the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. Greatly under-represented, the local arts community in the eastern half of DC will find a permanent home at City Gallery. DC art lovers will now have immediate access to the works of the many talented local artists who live in their midst.

The gallery represents over 20 local painters, sculptors, photographers, engravers and printmakers. Every year, all artist members will display their work in a group show. The gallery will then host solo shows monthly and an annual juried show over the summer. In addition, City Gallery will provide gallery space rental and catering, art advisory and curatorial services, art installation and new collector consultations.

The Grand Opening of City Gallery will be March 6, 2010 from 6 to 9 pm.

Mardi Gras Party on H Street: Sunday, February 14, 2-6 pm UPDATE: Cancelled due to Weater

UPDATE: CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER, BUT H STREET WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS THIS WEEKEND AS SUPPLIES ARE BEING DELIVERED NOW.

The First Annual Mardi Gras Celebration on H Street!

Music, food, floats, beads, King Cake, and Second Line up and down H St on Sunday, February 12, from 2 - 6pm.

The party will get started at 12th & H Street in the lot on the south side of the street. Celebrity Chef and H Street's own Teddy Folkman of Dr. Granville Moore's, Throwndown with Bobby Flay, and Next Food Network Star fame will prepare an enormous King Cake. Proceeds from each piece of cake will be donated to the Haiti Relief Fund. Those whose piece of cake includes a small plastic baby can pull a prize from the prize jar, which will feature gift certificates contributed by various popular H Street merchants. Adults, families, and children of all ages are welcome to come for 5 minutes or 5 hours as admission is free.

Yamomanem, the well-regarded New Orleans Jazz Band who has performed at the White House, the Kennedy Center (where they will perform for Fat Tuesday) and other notable venues, will perform their signature calypso/reggae-style jazz and will march through the H Street entertainment district doing Second Line.

Among the varied H Street food vendors who will be on site are: nearly open Dangerously Delicious Pies, Smokey of Smokey's Barbershop with his famous BBQ ribs, Aaron McGovern of the soon-to-open Biergarten Haus offering german sausages, and Taste of Jamaica.

H Street merchants will be offering a variety of specials that day, including free golf for children at H Street Country Club, shows all day starting at 11 am at Rock and Roll Hotel, a full menu all day at the Argonaut, expected to feature shrimp boil and possibly crawfish, and more.

Gallery O will be open at showcasing New Orleans Art.

Float participants are being solicited, so if you are interested in decorating your pickup or have another suitable vehicle for the celebration, contact event organizer and neighborhood resident Margaret Holwill at mgholwill@gmail.com

WaPo features Conner Contemporary (1358 Florida Ave NE) & Leigh Conner DC's "top gallerist"

Check out this great piece lauding Conner Contemporary and owner Leigh Conner in today's Style section.

Drew Ronneberg is your new ANC6A Commissioner

Drew Ronnenberg was decisively elected tonight to represent ANC6A02 by a vote of 92-14. He was immediately sworn in by Councilmember Tommy Wells.

Reminder: ANC6A02 special election tonight at 7:10 pm at 601 15th St NE

If you live south of H Street and on or north of E St NE between 8th and 12th or between H and G Streets between 12th and 13th Streets, and are registered to vote at your current address, then you are eligible to vote in tonight's special election to fill the vacancy of Joe Fengler's seat (SMD-02) on the ANC. This is an important election and to vote, you must sppear in person at Miner Elementary School (601 15th St NE) between 7:10 and 8:10 pm tonight.

The candidates are Drew Ronneberg and Bobby Pittman. Several neighborhood leaders, including outgoing ANC Chair Joe Fengler have endorsed Ronneberg. Both candidates campaign flyers are available here. The Hill is Home's Jen DeMayo and Frozen Tropics have both taken issues with several outlandish claims made by Pittman and raised concerns about some unusual policy proposals he has that would reverse recent actions to produce proper development on H Street. Joe Fengler recently responded to allegations made by Pittman in the flyer, calling them "blatant lies" noting in particular that he told Pittman that he was moving outside the district, which is what forced him to resign from the ANC, but nonetheless Pittman made false claims suggesting that Fengler was forced to resign. Frozen Tropics has also endorsed Ronnenberg noting a variety of past problems with Pittman including his underhanded efforts to block the H Street Festival last summer.

Remember to take 5 minutes tonight between 7:10 and 8:10 pm to vote!

Election for ANC6A-02 proceeding tomorrow at 7:10 pm at Miner Elementary (601 15th St NE)

If you live between 8th and 12th Street just south of H Street, you are likely eligible to vote in tomorrow's 7:10 pm special election, at Miner Elementary School (601 15th St NE) for single member district 02 of ANC6A. This is the election to replace outgoing Chairman Joe Fengler. Frozen Tropics has posted the candidates' fliers here. She has joined Fengler and many other community leaders in backing Drew Ronneberg in this election. Drew has been the Chair of the ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee and a resident of 11th Street for the past several years and he is the clear choice in this race. Every vote will count in this small district election, especially because it is a special election. The two recent ANC special elections in nearby ANCs have been won with only 16 and 69 votes going to the winning candidates in ANC5B-06 and ANC6B-03, so turnout is absolutely critical especially under the current circumstances.

ANC 6A has announced that it will proceed with the planned meeting tomorrow night, 2/11 at 7 p.m. at Miner Elementary School. Although the school is likely to be closed for the day, the building will be opened for the meeting. The agenda for the ANC meeting is available on the website. The meeting will commence with the special election to fill the vacancy created by Joseph Fengler's resignation from Single Member District 6A02. Results will be announced at the close of the meeting at 8:30, but voters are not required to remain for the entirety of the meeting and are free to cast their ballots beginning at 7:10 pm.

Argonaut opening at noon today, beer specials all day

The Argonaut is opening at 12:00 today and is offering their regular menu along with the following specials on booty beers:

$1 from 12-2 pm
$2 from 2-4 pm
$3 from 3-close

New Exhibit open at Evolve (1375 Maryland Ave), reception Saturday

Opening Reception
Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM
A unique tasting menu and beverages will be paired with selected works.

Orchestrated Misbehavior stems from Ms. Riccardelli's penchant for carefully arranging her pictorial components into fanciful tableaux vivants. Born in Germany, this self-described "army brat" spent most of her formative years transferring between her father's multiple postings throughout the U.S. On the long car rides spent driving from one "home" to another "home", she passed time by gazing at the landscape whirring by, imagining herself as a princess, or a damsel imbued with magical powers. With a self-described "fondness for the absurd", Ms. Riccardelli now brings these daydreams to reality by inserting herself into engaging juxtapositions that simultaneously reflect her dark humor and romantic aesthetic.

Fed Govt closed tmrw, super bowl parties at Argo, Toyland tonight, Argo open tmrw at noon

The Federal government will be closed tomorrow, so you have every reason to enjoy tonight's festivities at Toyland or at the Argonaut where you can enjoy 1/2 priced wings; pitchers of Booty for $10; or any other pitchers for $15.

And tomorrow, the Argonaut will open at noon and have their full lunch and dinner menus available.

What's open today and Superbowl Party at Toyland

Almost all of your H Street favorites were open yesterday and Taylor is back open again today at noon (Sidamo may not be, but Sova is an option if not). Bottomless mimosas are available now at the Argonaut and at the Pug starting at noon....

Still looking for Super Bowl plans now that you can't travel anywhere too far and haven't had a chance to stock up at the store? Head over to Toyland (421 H St) tonight where they've added food to their already varied offerings.

Super Bowl Sunday
@
TOYLAND

Come and hang with us as we watch the

Saints take on the Colts at our

New Orleans themed Party

5:30 to 12

Were bringing the bayou to DC

There will be food, drinks, beer specials
and lots of fun

Don't let the snow keep you in

Let it Snow (so we can drink for cheap) on H Street

No need to stock up on food and beer in preparation for the big storm this weekend.

Starting Friday at 6 pm, neighborhood restaurants and bars Little Miss Whiskeys, the Pug, Sticky Rice, Palace of Wonders, and Jimmy Valentine's, and (update) the Red and the Black will all knock $1 off each drink you order for every six inches of snow that has accumulated as part of this weekend's storm. The special pricing will run both Friday and Saturday, though it will be capped at a minimum of $2 per beverage. So after you shovel your sidewalk, make your way to your favorite neighborhood watering hole and enjoy!

Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar (1104 H St)
Palace of Wonders (1210 H St)
The Red and the Black (1212 H St)
Sticky Rice (1224 H St)
the Pug (1234 H St)
Jimmy Valentine's (1103 Bladensburg)

Updated: The Red and the Black is also participating.

Sign the Take Back Capitol Hill Petition Urging Mayor Fenty to fight Crime on Capitol Hill

Some members of Moms on the Hill have created this online petition calling on Mayor Fenty to increase police action in the greater Capitol Hill community. The text of the petition is reproduced below.

Councilmember Tommy Wells is also cohosting a meeting regarding carjackings tonight at the Options Charter School (1375 E St NE) from 6:30-7:30. Chief of Police Cathy Lanier and First District Commander David Kamperin are expected to attend.

To: Mayor Fenty
In response to the recent increase in the number of carjackings, purse snatchings, and break-ins on Capitol Hill and the violent nature of these crimes, WE the undersigned, request Mayor Fenty to TAKE ACTION in fighting crime on Capitol Hill. We ask Mayor Fenty to help make our neighborhood a safer place by increasing funding and/or manpower to the appropriate law enforcement agencies/individuals. We demand implementation of alternative approaches that will actually target the problem, rather than the symptom and thus truly make a sustainable difference in the safety and lives of Hill residents. Increased police presence on the Hill, although positive, has not deterred these criminals. We ask Mayor Fenty to do what it takes to make Capitol Hill a safe place to live and raise our families.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Haiti Fundraiser at Sova on Wednesday, February 10

Helly Schtevie is hosting a charity date auction to take place at Sova (1359 H St) on February 10th. The event begins at 7:30 and the bidding starts at 8:30.

Hotties for Haiti: A Date Auction. All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders' Haiti effort.

Those stepping up to the auction block include DJ Gavin Holland, DJ Ratt Moze, Comedian Mike Way, Andrew Herndon of karaoke fame, one of the mysterious Fojol Bros., Maureen Andary of the Sweater Set (who will give a Ukelele lesson on her date), artist Jennifer Jeremias of Bored of Trade, Glodine Young, Associate Gallery Director of The Fridge, City Paper's Beerspotter Orr Shtuhl (whose date is a sponsored beer tasting at ChurchKey), Ron Soltes of Nunchucks, some of Sova's sexy latte staff, and many more!

Those already attached are still encouraged to attend to witness the spectacle of Sova's first and possibly last ever date auction.

Azul extended at Studio H through Feb 6, closing reception Saturday night

Geoff Ault's "Azul" has been extended through Saturday, February 6. Studio H will be holding a closing reception for the show on Saturday, February 6 from 6-8 PM.

Toyland (421 H St) soft opening / neighborhood preview Thursday, Feb. 4

As noted, Toyland (421 H St) was softly open a couple weekends ago. Thrillist did a nice piece on the owners and their vision. Toyland's next neighborhood soft opening night will be this Thursday, February 4 with the grand opening expected soon thereafter.

Biergarten Haus: opening in April at 1355 H Street

Aaron McGovern and Arturas Vorobjovas of Russia House in Dupont Circle will open Biergarten Haus, a German restaurant and a large outdoor beer garden in April at 1355 H Street (sharing walls with SOVA and Rock & Roll Hotel).

The restaurant assumes the two buildings that previously covered 1355 and 1357A H St and will in full cover thousands of square feet with seating for 70. The beer garden will offer another couple thousand square feet out back. The summer garden will features a variety of trees, plants, and vines, which will provide asthetic appeal and natural sound mitigation. Seating is expected for as many as 150 outside.

Although they are seeking a Class C-Tavern license, McGovern states that Biergarden will focus heavily on food sales. The menu will offer a variety of schnitzels, krauts and brats. Biergarten also owns the building downstairs of Sova's second floor lounge, which will be used to provide takeout and catering. The beer list will include a dozen taps to be available in three sizes. They plan to feature Euro-soccer, rugby, and the World Cup on the second floor and will eventually offer a full weekend brunch. They also intend to offer live accordion and polka music inside.

Biergarten has already signed up to participate in the recently launched reimburseable security detail and does not operate in close proximity to residential homes, so it appears likely that they will be good neighbors to the surrounding area.