City Gallery hosts first annual all associates show with reception July 10, 6-9 p.m.

City Gallery (804 H St) announced its first annual all associates show, which is to run June 27 through July 28, with an opening reception will be held Saturday, July 10, from 6-9 p.m.

The show will feature the diverse work and mediums of the gallery’s associate members: Marilyn Christiano, Sheryl Denbo, Will Fleishell, Sherill Anne Gross, Tara Hamilton, Martha Huizenga, Tom Kenyon, Liz Lescault, Anne Oman, Sarah Porter, Tom Pullin, Pam Rogers, Lynne Mallonee Schlimm, and Cissy Web. Ceramic sculpture, oil painting, watercolor, photography, prints and multimedia art will be on display.

Reminder: Argonaut Benefit is tonight at Rock & Roll Hotel

The Argonaut benefit is tonight at the Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H St) from 5-11 p.m. There will be a silent auction and the Argonaut folks will be preparing their famous fish tacos and sweet potato fries as well.

Wednesday June 30, 5pm - 11 p.m. at the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St)
$20 = Complimentary Cocktails
ALL PROCEEDS to benefit The Argonaut
http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/11659.aspx

Liberty Tree has your Fourth of July cooking covered

Liberty Tree is working to get their patio up and running within the next month. When they do, you can expect lots of special lobster and clam boils as well as various barbeque and other outdoor offerings. In the meantime, if you are sticking around town for the holiday, you can take a lobster or claim boil home for your Fourth of July celebration.

There are 3 packages that will contain an entire meal ready to be boiled and served:

Clam Boil $15
Lobster Boil $25 (1-1 1/4 lb)
Clam and Lobster Boil $35

Each package will include and entire meal: the seafood, corn on the cob, red bliss potatoes, Linguica (Portuguese sausage), and carrots.

These are by pre-order only, so place an order by Thursday and you can pick them up on the Fourth between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call Liberty Tree with any questions and ask for Scott or Graig 396-8733 (TREE).

Tommy Wells: Council approves emergecy legislation to allow wires for H Street streetcar line

Good news from Tommy Wells office: The Council moved the bill that was the subject of last week's hearing unanimously earlier today.

Council Approves Legislation for Streetcar Power Technology: Allows Aerial Streetcar Wires on H Street / Benning Road; Creates Clear Planning Process for Additional Segments

On Tuesday, June 29, 2010, the Council of the District of Columbia approved emergency legislation to allow streetcars on H Street and Benning Road NE to move forward with an overhead wire power source and create a public process to approve the power source for other streetcar segments within the proposed system. The Council will vote on a permanent version of the legislation on July 13, 2010.

“This bill will allow the city to better connect our neighborhoods with the next generation of public transportation,” commented Wells.

In addition to allowing aerial wires to power streetcars on H Street and Benning Road NE, the legislation accomplishes several things:

•Repeals the 1888 & 1889 law and re-establishes the provisions as local law.

•Preserves the aerial wire ban in neighborhoods like historic Capitol Hill and Georgetown, and requires that the Mayor must develop subsequent segment plans, subject to review and Council approval, for the use of aerial wires for any additional streetcar routes with written evaluation to the visual impact on Historic Districts.

•Outlines clear prohibitions to powering streetcars by aerial wires in areas surrounding the National Mall and adjacent federal monuments.

•Requires the Mayor to submit a report to Council at regular intervals, on the feasibility of converting to non-aerial power where any aerial wiring has been installed.

•Creates authority for the Mayor -- and a process for public review -- to allow aerial wires deemed necessary to power streetcars beyond a strictly defined H Street and Benning Road NE segment.

“Today’s action brings local control and accountability to the District as it continues the development of the streetcar transportation system to better connect neighborhoods and support local economic development,” added Wells.

Link roundup

DCist highlight's Industry Gallery's (1358 Florida Ave) current show "If I Told You One Time", which runs through July 3.

Greater Greater Washington has this post about how Streetcars preserve, not spoil, historic cities. The author is a Georgetown resident who testified in support of streetcars on H Street and throughout the city at least week's DC Council hearing on the H Street line.

Brightest Young Things touts H Street as the new Brooklyn in their H Street guide.

Professor Bruce Fisher writes in ArtVoice about Urban Planner Jane Jacobs and also views H Street as akin to Brooklyn and as leading the way among urban areas which were ravaged by the 1968 riots, describing H Street as:

paradise regained compared to the great swaths of Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago, and other cities that burned in the 1968 riots—because at least in Washington, new activity is right next door. Speculation on H Street Northeast still makes sense even after the real-estate crash. It’s coming this way—you can feel it. H Street Northeast will be next to “come back.”

HStreetDC says newly-opened Rita's Water Ice (1014 H St) is off to the early lead in the H Street Water Ice battle with Philadephia Water Ice (1204 H St) who is also offering free water ice this week.

The Hill is Home was well-represented at Rita's opening this weekend.

Frozen Tropics announces Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill's (410 H St) Four Year Anniversary celebration with special pricing discounts and a party on July 17.

The Argonaut continues to share news of their ordeal and progress recovering from their tragic fire.
Don't forget about the fundraiser for them and their employees tomorrow night at the Rock and Roll Hotel. $20 covers your cocktails and provides various entertainment as well as other opportunities to support everyone's favorite neighborhood bar and the grandaddy of the H Street renaissance.

Streetcars meeting tomorrow at the Atlas PAC (1333 H St)

Please join the District Department of Transportation as we return to the community to discuss our progress, address concerns and solicit input regarding the design–build of the Wylie Street Substation.

June 29th 2010, 6:30-8:00pm
Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St)

Contact:
Sandy Castor
202-671-3499
District Department of Transportation | Progressive Transportation Services Administration
www.ddot.dc. gov

Smith Commons - modern bistro coming to 1245 H St

Smith Commons, a modern bistro restaurant, will open at 1245 H Street late summer. The owners are currently completing the build out that was started by Andrew Agak when he planned to open an African restaurant called Drew at the building adjacent to the Autozone parking lot and across the street from Granville Moore's.

The building is very nice with three stories and construction is ongoing. When complete it will provide floor to ceiling walls of new windows across the front facade of the building with a good deal of exposed brick and a series of fireplaces in the upper levels, which will be used as lounge space. There is also a sizable back patio off the back of the second level for al fresco dining.

The chef is experienced in Beglian cuisine and will be joined in the kitchen by another chef who is coming over from Beglium, but they do not intend to compete with H Street's popular Belgian bistro Granville Moore's, which is part of why they describe themselves as a modern bistro. The owners took over the lease and liquor license that had been obtained for the previously planned restaurant and hope to open later this summer, but still have quite a bit of interior construction work left before they will be ready to obtain the various other permits necessary to open.

Rita's Water Ice is open at 1014 H St and offering free water ice for a week

Rita's opened yesterday afternoon at 1014 H Street (next door to Liberty Tree). They're doing an opening special of free water ice through July 2 (other items, including custard are not free). Flavors of the day are posted on line. They offer Italian Ice, Cream Ice, Custard, and a line of light items, including fat free soft serve and sugar free water ice flavors.

Reminder: Tommy Wells hosts 4th Annual Ward 6 Family Fun Day tomorrow at Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE)

Stop by on your way to check out the new Rita's Water Ice (1014 H St).

Councilmember Tommy Wells Hosts 4th Annual Ward 6 Family Fun Day
Saturday, June 26th at Sherwood Recreation Center

(Washington, DC) – On Saturday, June 26, 2010 Councilmember Tommy Wells, residents of Ward 6 and local sports affiliates will gather at the Sherwood Recreation Center for the 4th Annual Ward 6 Family Fun Day.

The event - focuses on bringing the residents of Ward 6 to the Sherwood Recreation Center located at 640 10th Street, NE to celebrate and strengthen the wonderful neighborhoods in the ward – Rosedale, Southwest, Capitol Hill, Hill East, Penn Quarter, NoMa and many more.

The event will begin at 1:00 pm with free food and drink. Activities will continue throughout the day until 4:00 pm, including volleyball games, face painting, arts and craft workshops, basketball games, water activities and much more. Link: http://www.tommywells.org/content/view/942/30/.

Sponsors of the event include the Washington Nationals, DC United, Harris Teeter, and many local businesses. Several governmental and non-governmental agencies will also be present with free health screening, free testing for blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV, and information about various programs and services.

Please contact Daniel Conner at dconner@dccouncil.us or 202-724-8063 if you would like to be a sponsor or have any questions or comments.

Chef Teddy Folkman hosts Beer Dinner at Granville Moore's Tuesday

Chef Teddy Folkman hosts his next Beer Dinner at Granville Moore's on Tuesday night. $70 for five of his special courses and six world class Ommegang beers, including the DC premiere of the Zuur. A handful of slots are left for the dinner. Call the restaurant at 202-399-2546 to reserve before it sells out.

Rita's Water Ice (1014 H St) opens tomorrow at noon

The window coverings are down, the store looks nice, and they are ready to start serving up various frozen treats this weekend at Rita's Water Ice (1014 H St).

Stop by after dinner at Liberty Tree (Chef Glufling at Liberty Tree has monkfish and stuffed quahogs on special this weekend) or either afternoon this weekend for some opening weekend special treats. It's going to be another hot one, so H Street Rita's will be open just in time to provide some much needed water ice, frozen custard, or gelati.

Tom Sietsema's full review of Ethiopic is very favorable & runs in Sunday's paper

This very nice full review from Washington Post Dining Critic Tom Sietsema will run in Sunday's Washington Post. Congratulations to Sam and Meseret! Ethiopic (401 H St) is now a Washington Post Editor's Pick. Ethiopic is getting great reviews, Washingtonian critic Todd Kliman recently said Ethiopic "is putting out some of the best Ethiopian food right now in the area."

Ethiopic: A different take on Ethiopian -- for starters, it's in the Atlas District
Tom Sietsema, June 2010

If you think all Ethiopian restaurants are cut from the same cloth, you have yet to visit Ethiopic. Its placement alone, in the up-and-coming Atlas District, sets it apart from its dozens of competitors, many of which call Shaw home.

But first you have to find the spot. The facade of the new restaurant is so unassuming, I've had friends walk right by it on their way to meet me. ("I'm standing on the corner of H and Fourth streets. Where is this place?" one called from her cellphone. "Turn around. You're here," I said.) Not everyone might notice the bullet hole in the door handle. But everyone is likely to be charmed by what they see when they step inside Ethiopic.

The wood floors are buffed to a sheen. Illuminated columns, swathed in linen and painted with Amharic letters, are both practical and handsome. Most of the seats are Western-style; set in the window alcoves, however, are messobs, the traditional woven-basket tables from Ethiopia. The dining room is tidy and small, with seats for fewer than 40. It's also easy to look at, thanks to art collected by Meseret Bekele, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Samuel Ergete.

The financial aid officer and former data processor, respectively, are new to the business and say they are determined to deliver more style and better service than their rivals. The couple also want their food to taste like the cooking they grew up with back in Ethiopia, which they say is in part a little spicier than what they've encountered here. Though I've experienced heat similar to Ethiopic's at the competition in the area, the newcomer is noteworthy for its layering of flavors.

Sample what the owners are talking about with buticha, chickpeas pureed to look like scrambled eggs and served chilled. Appearances are deceiving. The salad's sunny yellow color comes from curry, and the green bits are jalapeo, which adds crunch and bite to the appetizer. Fearless types can test their mettle with kitfo. It's similar to steak tartare, except that the minced raw beef is enriched with melted spiced butter and can be lightly cooked if you ask. Its distinctive firepower comes from mitmita, a reddish blend of chili peppers, cumin, cloves and other enhancers. My preference is to enjoy the ruddy meat raw and balance its heat with some of the accompanying cool and crumbly cottage cheese.

Those and just about everything else on the menu are eaten with the multipurpose Ethiopian flatbread called injera, which resembles a spongy beige crepe and smacks pleasingly of sourdough. A basket of rolled injera shows up with your meal; pieces of the bread, which is made with teff, a hardy and highly nutritious grain native to Ethiopia, are ripped off and used to swipe bits of food from a platter that's lined with more injera. Some visitors to Ethiopic have requested utensils to eat with, Ergete says. Forks are one of the few concessions the owners have made to their concept since the restaurant opened in March.

Injera isn't the only bread served here. Diners are welcomed with a basket of moist chunks of house-baked whole-wheat bread and a dip of olive oil laced with berbere, the fiery spice blend essential to a number of Ethiopian dishes.

Doro wot is perhaps the best known of Ethiopia's dishes and the one by which purveyors are often judged. Chicken legs served with a hard-cooked egg and draped with a thick sauce that can be ordered hot or not doesn't sound complex, but when its liquid cloak is done well, as it is here, it's every bit as nuanced as a Mexican mole. To share the stew, you smash the egg and strip the flesh from the chicken using injera and your fingers. (Neatniks, be warned: Ethiopian food is messy going. And don't wear white.) Lamb has a slight edge over beef, judging from several dips into the dining room. I'm partial to tender pieces of lamb accented with garlic, rosemary and more.

There's sufficient meat to admire here, but vegetables should be your focus (and not just because Mom would approve). Shredded collard greens could use a little more kick, but everything else is dressed for success. Consider launching a meal with a scarlet salad of sweet diced beets and potatoes sharpened with red onion, black pepper and lemon juice. Then move on to a sampler of meatless items: Puddles of slow-burning yellow and brown lentils alternate with those collards and a mix of tomatoes, onions and jalapenos on the platter. The combination makes for gutsy eating. Also good are the marble-size chickpea dumplings shot through with garlic, onions and red pepper.

(review continues at WP website)

This weekend on H Street

Thursday:

Tommy Wells hosts open office hours at Biergarten Haus from 6-7:30 p.m. This a good opportunity to let Tommy know what you need help with in your neighborhood.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? kicks off Weekend Two of the Atlas PAC's summer film series at 8:00 p.m.

Friday:

Rock & Roll Hotel hosts the Spelling Buzz... Drink To Play, Spell To Win!
The weekly "Spelling Buzz" now starts at 8 p.m. with sign up beginning at 6 p.m. $6 gets you a 16oz PBR and a Shot of whiskey till 10 p.m. Winning speller gets $60 Bar Tab, $30 for the runner-up.

Toyland hosts a Ketel One tasting event from 8-10 p.m.

Saturday:

Tommy Wells hosts his Fourth Annual Ward Six Family Day at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE) from 1-4 p.m. All of Ward Six is invited and there will be free food, prizes, face painting, arts and crafts, a water activity for kids, music, games and more.

H Street is the place to be for World Cup and USA begins elimination play at 2:30 p.m. Don't expect to find seats at the ubber popular Biergarten, but Star and Shamrock, H Street Country Club, Sticky Rice and even Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar have been hot spots for the World Cup.

The Summer Film series continues at the Atlas with Pippi in the South Seas as part of the Family / Gen-X nostalgia series at 5 p.m. (perhaps a good post-Ward Six Family Day activity) and The Godfather II is the Cinema al Fresco offering, at 8 p.m.

Sunday:

Sticky Rice celebrates its two year anniversary on H Street with nighttime specials and more.

H Street Country Club offers free minigolf with dinner.

H Street is where there's always something to do and you never have to leave.

Today's Living Social Deal: $20 for $40 gift certificate to Sticky Rice

Sticky Rice (1224 H St) is today's Living Social Deal of the Day. For $20, you can have $40 to spend at your next visit to Sticky Rice.

Sticky Rice celebrates 2 yr anniversary June 27

Sticky Rice (1224 H St) celebrates their second anniversary with specials, guests, a year in review video, music, food, and DJ's this Sunday, June 27.

Queen Vic (1206 H St) moving ahead, but now shooting for late August

ANC6A signed off on a voluntary agreement with The Queen Vic (1206 H St) a couple months ago, which cleared the way for the liquour license to proceed from the Alcobol Beverage Regulation Adminstration (ABRA).

Although they had hoped to open sooner, Queen Vic is now shooting for no sooner than late August.

Argonaut received 90 day license to operate as tavern while kitchen undergoes repairs

Per this recent from ANC6A06 Commissioner Bill Schulteiss.

Thank you to everyone for your emails of support. I am happy to announce the ABC Board gave the Argonaut a 90 day Tavern License during which time they will hopefully be able to rebuild the kitchen.

I was told they were impressed with the quantity of email's of support for the temporary license change.

Bill Schultheiss
ANC Commissioner 6A06

Ketel One Tasting at Toyland on Friday 8-10 pm

Toyland (421 H St) will host a Ketel One event this Friday from 8-10 p.m.

Join us on Friday June 25th 8pm to 10 pm for a Ketel One Vodka Tasting Event. Come and sample cocktail made with Ketel One Vodka, Ketel Oranje, and Ketel Citron.

In other news, Toyland recently filed an application to use the public space along the 5th Street facing portion of their property last month and hopes to have outdoor seating later this summer. Toyland has always had good cocktails, but this should be a nice addition to an ever improving bar.

Today's streetcar hearing went well. Here's a quick summary of some highlights:

Congratulations to Councilmember Tommy Wells and Councilmember & Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Graham on a successful hearing on their bill to make clear that an overhead wire would be allowed to power the streetcars along H Street. Kudos to a variety of neighborhood residents and business owners who attended and testified. Others will provide a more comprehensive summary of the hearing, but a few things stuck out to me:

1. Lots of neighborhood residents and business owners testified in support of streetcars and of the pending bill to move them forward. ANC6A was represented by David Holmes, ANC6C sent Tony Richardson, H Street Main Street's Anwar Saleem was there. David Bernhardt who owns the buildings that house Sidamo, Capitol Hill Bikram Yoga, and Toyland and who lives just off H Street participated as well. H Street Connection's property manager, Mark Bradshaw, testified in support on behalf of Rappaport Companies who has grand plans to redevelop the south side of H Street between 8th and 10th St in coming years. Jen DeMayo spoke passionately on behalf of the Atlas Performing Arts Center where she is the communications director and also as a long-time nearby resident. Mark Thorp who is the proprietor of Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar and owns a home in Trinidad was also on the final panel.

2. The proposal is not to allow wires (plural), but rather to allow a single wire to power each line. The wire will be thinner than a pen's diameter. All indications are that the wire will be miniminally intrusive.

3. 12 of 13 Councilmembers backed the bill when it was introduced and the support for the bill seems to remain strong among the Council. The lone Councilmember to not endorse the bill, CM Phil Mendelson, attended and made a number of statements that suggest that he may be less opposed to the bill than his earlier actions suggested. Among a series of defensive statements from Mendelson were his assertions that he now supporting bringing streetcars back to DC and that given how far along things are with the H Street line, he thought that the Council should go forward with allowing overhead wires on H Street. He did continue to make critical statements regarding the amount of planning that has gone into the process thus far and remained clearly the most skeptical and unsupportive Councilmember to date.

4. Amtrak is not opposed to allowing DDOT access to Union Station. DDOT says Amtrak raised reasonable concerns, but that they are all fairly simple issues that are "quite easy to resolve." DDOT said the issues raised by Amtrak about using their Union Station space to access Union Station at the initial western end of the line were "all solvable."

5. CM Tommy Wells suggested that there was a good bit of misinformation circulating regarding plans for the system, particularly involving the funding of it. Wells said that while the budget process was disappointing and confusing, at the end of the budget process "the funding is there for the H Street-Benning line." Wells, Graham, and DDOT all were clear in their continued commitment to seeing streetcars running down H Street in 2012.

Link roundup

Travel & Leisure touts Dangerously Delicious Pies. DDP founder Rodney Henry was on the Food Network for Throwdown with Bobby Flay where he made his famous Cowboy Quiche.

DC UrbanTurf touted the Rosedale neighborhood to the east of H Street.

THIH's Sharee Lawler notes some community concern about a proposed 7-Eleven on H Street and the efforts of ANC6A's Economic Develoment and Zoning Committee to mute its impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

The Washington Post favorably reviews Greety Good Time at the H Street Playhouse (1365 H St). The show runs Thursdays through Sunday each of the next two weekends.

Reminder: Council hearing on H Street Streetcars today at 2 pm

The public hearing on Councilmember Wells' bill will be held by the DC Council Committee on Public Works and Transporation today at 2:00 p.m.

Argo seeks temporary change to license to allow to operate as tavern while kitchen undergoes repairs

Here's a good opportunity to support the Argonaut while they try to make ends meet until their kitchen is repaired. There is also a fundraiser for them being hosted at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Wedensday, June 30. If you support their operating under a Tavern License rather than a Restaurant one (this means they aren't required to establish that over a certain percentage of their sales are from food rather than beer/wine/liquor), then you are encouraged to weigh in support of their temporary license change by emailing the ABC Board. The Argonaut was an H Street pioneer, is operated by H Street cooridor residents, and is by all accounts a good neighbor.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: schlthss
To: anc-6a06@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, June 21, 2010 11:38:49 PM
Subject: [anc-6a06] Argonaut Restaurant License Hearing


Neighbors,

As you are now aware, the Argonaut suffered a temporary setback with the fire on Sunday. I believe the Argonaut and the efforts of their ownership have helped lead the way with the resurrection of H Street. They were one of the first on H to provide our neighborhood a place to enjoy a decent meal. They have proven to be good neighbors and an asset to our community.

The Argonaut is in need of opening as soon as possible to generate enough income to pay the bills (which don't stop for hardship). AS they are licensed to be a restaurant, they are required to sell a certain quantity of food to maintain their liquor license. Since their kitchen was damaged in the fire it will be impossible for them to meet the food requirement for an unknown period of time while the process works to restore the kitchen. In the meantime, they are requesting permission from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board to change their liquor license from restaurant a tavern.

The goal of the Argonaut ownership is to function as a tavern and hopefully be able to grill food on an outdoor grill on the patio. Upon conclusion of the renovation, they will return to a fully functioning restaurant and return their license to a restaurant license.

I fully support this temporary change and I request that neighbors who wish to help email the ABC board to let them know you support this temporary change. The Board is meeting this Wednesday, June 23rd.

Please emails to the ABC Board care of: Martha Jenkins, Martha.Jenkins@dc.gov.

I will be asking all of my fellow commissioners to join me in this request and I will be sending my own letter of support.

Thank you,

Bill Schultheiss
Commissioner ANC6A06


__._,_.___

Tommy Wells hosts Fourth Ward Six Family Day, Saturday June 26, 1-4 pm at Sherwood Recreation Center

Tommy Wells hosts the 4th Annual Ward 6 Family Day this Saturday, June 26, 1-4 p.m. at the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE). Free food & fun activities, live music.

City Paper highlights Liberty Tree as one of top 50 for 2010 Dining Guide

The City Paper recently issued their 2010 Dining Guide of the 50 Most Fascinating Restaurants of the Year. Popular new H Street addition, Liberty Tree (1016 H St) was included. City Paper Food Columnist Tim Carman especially recommends the lobster roll, the lobster and scallop pot pie, the roasted littleneck clams, and the fried Chatham cod sandwich. You can't go wrong with any of those items.

H Street neighbor Capital City Diner (1050 Bladensburg Rd) was also included in the feature. Carman explains his affection for Capital City Diner as "Sometimes I love a place just because of its history or its significance to a neighborhood or its atmosphere."

Look for Liberty Tree to begin construction on their summer garden patio alongside the east wall of the property soon. They are also in the process of rolling out a newly expanded wine list with some additional higher end offerings.

Update: Taylor Gourmet is also featured and highlighted for their awesome roast pork sandwiches.

Argonaut benefit: Wednesday, June 30, 5-11 p.m. at Rock and Roll Hotel

The Argonaut - Benefit

In the early morning of Sunday June 20, The Argonaut experienced a devastating fire at 1433 H St NE. Please follow the link for more, detailed information.

A beloved restaurant on H St since 2005, the Argonaut has been a staple to locals and families. They also provide the food and catering for both patrons and bands at Rock & Roll Hotel. As part of family of businesses on H St NE, Rock & Roll Hotel is happy to throw a benefit for Argonaut.

Wednesday June 30, 2010, 5pm - 11 p.m.
$20 = Complimentary Cocktails
ALL PROCEEDS to benefit The Argonaut

If you are interested in donating to a silent action please contact Steve at
steve@rockandrollhoteldc.com or 202.388.7625

Upstairs @ The Hotel Bar
Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H St NE
Washington, DC 20002
http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com/
100% of all proceeds will go to the Argonaut.

Fire at the Argonaut, restaurant closed pending kitchen repairs

Early Sunday morning an electrical fire broke out in the Argonaut's kitchen. The smoke damage was substaintial and the Fire Deparment knocked out the windows, but no one was hurt and most of the harm was confined to the kitchen area.

The Argonaut has more details, pictures, and suggestions for what you can do to help. They hope to reopen as soon as possible, but insurance needs to come through, then repair permits... it may be that they reopen without a working kitchen initially.

Living Social: Party at Rock and Roll Hotel

Today's Living Social Deal of the Day offers $20 tickets to an 80s party on June 28 or a 90s party on July 12 at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Tickets get your admission and a free drink.

Pump-up your Reeboks, tie that neon scrunchy on your sideways ponytail, and turn those overalls backwards, cause we're throwing two (head)-bangin,' (Goose)-bumpin' ragers at the Rock & Roll Hotel that are gonna be all that AND a bag of chips! (Talk to the) hand over $20 to rock out with your Pee Wee out on June 28 at LivingSocial's '80s Night featuring The DeLoreans cover band, or Skip It over on July 12 to grunge it up '90s-style with the killer White Ford Bronco band. Revelers can raise their slap bracelets with a ticket good for beer or wine -- be sure to dress the part for the costume contest with prizes

TT: Lamb Bacon from Garden Path Farm at H Street Famers' Market

Nice piece from Tasting Table on Garden Path Farm's Lambcetta (lamb bacon) which is available every Saturday morning at the H Street Farmer's Market (625 H St).


Bacon's New Frontier: Garden Path Farm's lambcetta puts the "baa" in bacon

They wear flannel, sport Panama hats and adore bacon. But the folks behind Garden Path Farm aren't hipsters: They're Pennsylvania farmers who have sparked the next big trend in bacon.

The farm just debuted its reinterpretation of the ubiquitous cured meat, and it's entirely pork-free. Lambcetta ($10 per pound) is Italian-style cured meat that uses lamb in place of pork belly.

Owner Emanuel Kauffman makes the nouveau bacon from grass-fed heritage Katahdin lambs, which are prized for their mellow flavor.

They cure each batch of lamb belly with salt, pepper and a few secret spices. Each package holds a thick stack of razor-thin slices of salty, seductive marbled lamb.

The slices are delicate and sometimes difficult to peel off in one piece, but they also cook more quickly than their pork cousins and are a meatier companion to eggs, tasting like a cross between bacon and sausage.

The bacon is as good for lunch and dinner as it is for breakfast. Serve it with tzatziki in a pita for a Greek-style sandwich, or dice it with shallots on a meat lover's pizza. The Kauffmans also make sweet bologna ($8 per pound), so you can opt for a bologna-and-cheese instead of a BLT.

It's a cure for bacon overload.

Garden Path Farm's lamb bacon is available at the H St. Farmers' Market on Saturdays (9 a.m. to noon), 625 H St. NE, between Sixth and Seventh Sts.

PoP: Posh Consignment Store coming to H Street

Price of Petworth has this post that POSH Consignment Store (1828 18th Street, NW) is leaving the Dupont-Adams Morgan area to come to H Street. The precise location is unclear or has not yet been finalized. Has anyone been to this store before? The website suggests it will be a welcome addition to H Street.

Also tonight: St Paddy's Day at Star and Shamrock

Tonight is the first of Star & Shamrock's (1341 H St) monthly St. Patrick's Day celebrations. They'll do St Paddy's Day 12 times a year on the 17th of every month, staring tonight with live music, food & drink specials & giveaways.

Stop by after ARTventures on H Street or make plans for St Paddy's Day in June now.

Reminder: Tonight is ARTventures on H Street

Tonight is the free 12-stop art walk and associated dining deals at 8 different restaurants/bars on H Street! Full details at www.facebook.com/ARTventuresOnH.

Art walk 5-7:30; dining deals 7-9pm. Plus discounted admission to the film showing at the Atlas, discounted admission to GRETTY GOOD TIME at H Street Playhouse, and a free class at Joy of Motion.

The twelve stops on the art walk are:

Bryant K. Adams: 300 block of H Street, NE (installation)
Studio H: 408a H Street, NE (www.studiohdc.com)
City Gallery: 804 H Street, NE (www.citygallerydc.com)
Jorge Velazquez: 1015 H Street, NE
Atlas Performing Arts Center: 1333 H Street, NE (www.atlasarts.org)
SOVA Espresso & Wine: 1359 H Street, NE (www.sovadc.com)
Gallery O/H: 1354 H Street, NE (www.galleryoonh.com)
H Street Playhouse: 1365 H Street, NE (www.hstreetplayhouse.com)
G Fine Art: 1350 Florida Avenue, NE (www.gfineartdc.com)
Conner Contemporary Art: 1358 Florida Avenue, NE (www.connercontemporary.com)
Industry Gallery: 1358 Florida Avenue, NE – Suite 200 (www.industrygallerydc.com)
Evolve Urban Arts Project: 1375 Maryland Avenue, NE (www.evolvedc.com)

Participating restaurants that will be offering ARTventures passport discounts are:

Ethiopic: 401 H Street, NE (www.ethiopicrestaurant.com)
Toyland: 421 H Street, NE (www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-DC/TOYLAND/253923606318)
Liberty Tree: 1016 H Street, NE (www.libertytreedc.com)
Sticky Rice: 1224 H Street, NE (www.stickyricedc.com)
The Pug: 1234 H Street, NE (www.thepugdc.com)
H Street Country Club: 1335 H Street, NE (www.hstreetcountryclub.com)
Dangerously Delicious Pies: 1339 H Street, NE (www.dangerouspiesdc.com)
Argonaut: 1433 H Street, NE (www.argonautdc.com)

Atlas Performing Arts Center Summer Film Series launch this weekend

This week the Atlas Performing Arts Center will kick off all three of it's Summer Film Series!

The '70s Family Film Series, Cinema al Fresco (Movies set in Italy) and Gay 101.
You can read more about the films on The Hill is Home.

Tickets to the films are $6

This week the films are:

Gay 101- Thursday June 17th @ 8pm The Women

70's Family Films Series- Saturday June 19th @ 5pm The Muppet Movie

Cinema al Fresco - Saturday June 19th @ 8pm Cinema Paradiso

The movies are all being shown in the black box Sprenger Theatre. Seating is available but feel free to bring a blanket, a lounge chair or roll in a stroller if the little one is sleeping. We'll have some snacks available for purchase but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic or even place an order at Dangerously Delicious Pies ahead of time and they'll have it waiting for you.

There will be beer and wine available to purchase and enjoy with your picnic.

On Saturdays between films they'll be hosting Italian wine tastings with the help of Schneider's of Capitol Hill. There will be live music in lobby courtesy of the Intersections festival. This week will feature the eclectic, musical stylings of Mattias Kraemer from the In Series.

Come on out and meet your friends and neighbors at the movies!

Information on all the Summer Films and tickets can be found here or you can call the box office, 202.399.7993 ext 2.

Show your support for streetcars at Tuesday's Council hearing

Here's another call for streetcar supporters to show up for and testify at the Council's Tuesday, June 22, at 2:00 p.m. hearing of the Committee on Public Works and Trasportation on Tommy Wells' narrowly tailored bill to allow streetcars to proceed on H Street with limited overhead wires while maintaining the ban on wires in other parts of D.C. and to direct the executive branch to prepare plans to conduct a feasibility study on removing overhead wires on H Street in coming years. Any and all are encouraged to take three minutes to testify on Tuesday.

Dear streetcar supporter,

Thank you for helping us win $47 million for streetcars in the D.C. Council's recently-passed budget. We need your help once again to help ensure that the H Street-Benning Road streetcar line can begin operating by spring 2012, as planned.

Next week Tuesday, June 22 at 2:00 pm, the Council's Public Works and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing to consider legislation introduced recently by Councilmember Tommy Wells and 11 of his colleagues to permit the use of overhead wires to power streetcars in the H Street-Benning Road corridor. This is narrowly tailored legislation, which asserts the District's right to make our own decision about the use of overhead wires of streetcars rather than ceding this authority to the federal government.

The bill has strong support on the Council, but we expect that opponents of overhead wires, who are rumored to have nearly scuttled vital streetcar funding last month, will show up to oppose the legislation.

We need you to sign up to attend this important hearing and tell the Council that you want streetcars to become a reality on H Street and Benning Road as soon as possible, using overhead wires.

To sign up, please send an email or call Ms. April Hawkins-Mason at ahawkinsmason@dccouncil.us or 202-724-8195 and ask to be added to the public witness list. For more information about the hearing, please visit: http://streetcars4dc.org/?p=126. We strongly encourage you to attend the hearing to demonstrate the strong support for streetcars, but if you will not be able to attend, you may still submit testimony via email to Mr. Hawkins (ahawkinsmason@dccouncil.us) up until June 22 at 5:00 pm.

Thank you for your continued support!

Jason

Jason Broehm
H Street-Benning Road Streetcar Alliance
www.streetcars4dc.org

WP's GOG weighs in on Biergarten Haus

Pretty favorable review from the Going Out Gurus at the Washington Post on Biergarten Haus (1355 H St). They have been packed since opening with waits to even get in and stand throughout last weekend. I agree with the review -- the outdoor are is "tremendous" with great planting, shades, and service and the food is "excellent." They have been a huge draw for World Cup so far as has H Street overall. On Saturday afternoon, H Street Country Club, Star and Shamrock, and Biergarten were all at capacity, which was incredible to see. Given the massive crowds to date, Biergarten is off to a great start.

Dangerously Delicious Pies on Throwdown with Bobby Flay tonight at 8 pm

Dangerously Delicious Pies will meet Iron Chef Bobby Flay on his Throwdown show on the Food Network tonight at 8 pm.

The Atlas Room, opening this summer in the old Napa 1015 space (1015 H St)

The Atlas Room (1015 H St) comes to us later this summer from owner Matt Cordes and chef de cuisine Bobby Beard. Cordes is experienced in some of DC's best kitchens including Bob Kinkead's Colvin Run Tavern, Gerard's Place, Vidalia, Evening Star Cafe, and 701. He was also the opening chef at Russia House, which is from the group behind Biergarten Haus. Cordes is currently preparing for his master sommelier exam and plans a nice wine list and various cocktail offerings alongside a seasonal, new American dinner menu.

Cordes's partner in the kitchen will be Bobby Beard. Beard was previously chef at Vermillion in Old Town Alexandria. He had also been executive chef at Pesce in Dupont Circle, and previously a sous-chef for Michel Richard at Citronelle. H Street star Chef Teddy Folkman of Granville Moore's and Food Network Fame cooked with Beard when he was at Vemillion several years ago.

The duo intend to draw on their extensive fine dining experience to bring a seasonal new american menu that highlights their experience with french cooking techniques. They plan to do a mix of larger and smaller plates with about a dozen menu items to be available in bite sizes, appetizer sizes, or entree sized portions. The menu will change every two to three months with the season. The chefs intend to take their drink offerings as seriously as their high end cuisine with plans for a high quality wine list and a creative bar chef-creative cocktail list as well to complement the offerings from the kitchen.

They are in the midst of their build out to refurbish the interior of the building and currently shooting to open by August. The plan is for roughly 55 seats with the majority devoted to the dining room and the rest part of a decent sized bar area. They should be very welcome addition to growing dining scene on H Street.

Phil Mendelson tries slowing streetcars again, fails again

CM Phil Mendelson put forth an amendment during the DC Council's second reading of the Budget Support Act for 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 on behalf of the so-called Committee of 100 to attempt to affect plans for the streetcar line along H Street. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 12 to 1.

It will be interesting to see if Mendelson continues to try to get in the way of the strong support for the H Street streetcar line at next week's hearing on CM Tommy Wells' bill. Now that he only has one challenger to his reelection campaign, he can no longer hope to have the opposition vote split amongst two challengers and Clark Ray has already come out in support of streetcars along H Street.

Get to know Clark Ray. There's a lot to like about the campaign he is running and a lot to like about a DC Council that doesn't have Phil Mendelson on it criticizing our streetcars and using his position as Chair of the Public Safety Committee to bottle up reasonable, commonsense anticrime legislation. The Washinton City Paper has called Ray one of the "best-liked and most effective agency heads" in DC. He seems like the clear choice in September for the At-large seat.

Tommy Wells moves legislation towards passage

Councilmember Tommy Wells today moved a package of legislation targeting a series of improvements to DC adoptions, youth services and prevention of juvenile crime.

“The culmination of today’s package of bills is the product of a systematic approach to improving services for youth, create more stable and permanent homes, and to prevent juvenile crime that threatens the safety of our neighborhoods,” stated Councilmember Tommy Wells. Many of the laws passed today are the outgrowth of Councilmember Wells’ Juvenile Crime Task Force convened last year.

The two bills outlined below will have their final vote in two weeks.

Data-Sharing and Information Coordination Amendment Act of 2010

This bill responds to the recommendations in the aftermath of the tragedy of the Jacks-Fogle children. Their tragic deaths highlighted a lack of connectivity in the District’s social safety net to serve its residents effectively and save lives. The OIG noted in its independent review that:

“Linking the various parts of this network will be difficult: a new environment of control and connectivity is needed in order to create within the system a safety net that could help prevent a single instance of human error or neglect from imperiling a family or person in need…”

The legislation creates a combined data system shared by a cross-section of safety net and youth services providers. This bill will be subject to a final vote on June 29, 2010.

Councilmember Wells moved an amendment to break through barriers created by strict confidentiality laws that at times have served to disconnect and isolate at-risk youth and families, while also preventing accountability of decision makers by the community. After vigorous debate, he agreed to a request from his colleagues to postpone the vote for two weeks to allow further public discussion.

Specifically, the amendment creates a connection with the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and law enforcement officers to share information about a youth and at-risk behavior with persons that work with the youth in an official capacity – such as school officials, athletic coaches, mental health professionals, public housing resident managers, and religious leaders.

Councilmember Tommy Wells noted, “In a practical example, a youth may have skipped a few days of school, been kicked out of a recreation center for a fight, and been stopped by police for riding in a stolen vehicle. Taken alone, each of these instances are concerning, but may not raise all the red flags needed. Current law prohibits DYRS and the police from alerting anyone to a potential problem through sharing information about the youth with his teacher, coach, and pastor for example. This amendment breaks down those barriers.”

Wells will also move an amendment in two weeks to improve neighborhood accountability and transparency by requiring the city to report juvenile arrest data at the neighborhood level so that decisions can be made to target limited resources where they’ll make the biggest impact. The report however does not include the youth’s name or address. “Rather than only focus on where a crime takes place, this allows us to review where youth who are arrested reside so that we can invest resources in those neighborhoods,” added Wells.

Safe Children and Safe Neighborhood Educational Neglect Amendment Act of 2010

This bill reinstitutes a policy that existed in the District until August of 2009, reducing to 10 the number of unexcused absences a child can accumulate before being referred to CFSA for educational neglect. The change will allow District agencies to collaborate more effectively to keep children safe and in school.

Wells stated, “We have a crisis on our hands with unexcused absences. The belief that school attendance is optional is simply not acceptable – for the child or the parent.”

Of the nearly 27,000 children in DC traditional public schools -- grades K through 8 -- nearly 8,000 (30%) accumulated 10 days of or more of unexcused absences in a year. In our public charter schools, nearly 5,700 (35%) of 16,000 K through 8 students accumulated 10 or more unexcused absences last year.

Wells added, “We know that chronic truancy is linked to delinquent behavior and lower educational achievement. Absenteeism is a problem we have to tackle head on.”

No one can forget the tragedy of the Jacks-Fogle children. Three of the Jacks-Fogle children were in elementary school and all had missed over a month of school. Yet, only the 16-year-old was referred for truancy to DC Superior Court. The elementary school-aged children – ages 5, 6, and 11 – were not reported for possible educational neglect and their schools did not engage CFSA to investigate their absences.

This legislation won initial approval today and will be subject to a final vote on June 29, 2010.

Studio H opening for Tim Colon's Derailed on Saturday to be catered by Dangerously Delicious Pies

Another great reason to check out the new show at Studio H (408 H St) this Saturday from 6-9 p.m.

Studio H presents “Derailed” a solo show by Tim Conlon
June 19 through July 14, 2010
Opening Show: June 19 from 6PM to 9PM

About the Exhibition:
On June 19, 2010, Studio H will open Derailed, a solo exhibition featuring well-known aerosol artist Tim Conlon. Derailed pays homage to the artist’s almost twenty-year love affair with freight train graffiti art. In this new exhibition space on Washington’s edgy H Street Corridor, Conlon will showcase a series of new works including life-size aerosol paintings of freight trains; model trains featuring scaled-to-size graffiti in the bright colors and iconic characters for which CON is best known; and contemporary photographs of trains and their environs. The exhibition closes on July 15.

About Derailed Conlon says, “I discovered freight train graffiti as a college kid in Baltimore just as the scene was emerging. As one of the biggest port cities on the East Coast, commercial cargo regularly arrived on large ships in Baltimore Harbor and was transferred to freight trains headed toward big cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. As a result, train cars were everywhere and as a young artist with a thing for graffiti, it was easy to get hooked on this constantly revolving art gallery. In Derailed, I pay respect to the rolling stock and the craft.”

About the Artist:
Conlon is best known for his large-scale murals and graffiti art. He was one of two aerosol artists featured in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s 2008 exhibition, RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture. In 2006, Conlon was featured in the book, Freight Train Graffiti by Roger Gastman, Darrin Rowland, and Ian Sattler. Works by Conlon have also been exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Art Basel in Miami, Strychnin Gallery in Berlin, and numerous other galleries. He has been featured in dozens of publications, websites, and other media outlets including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Washington City Paper, NPR, American Observer, Paste Magazine, the DCist blog, and The Examiner. Conlon posts regular missives about art and culture both local and global on his website and blog, www.conoperative.com.

Open House at H Street Pop-Up Lab Thursday evening 5-8 pm (1300 H St)

From the Mayor's Office of Planning

H Street Pop-Up Lab Open House

During Digital Capital Week, the pop-up lab will serve as a hub where the community and festival attendees can collaborate and work on digital arts and technology projects, including those that support H Street revitalization and design. Stop by and check it out!

Learn about the converted R.L. Christian kiosk and the Digital Arts Lab
Presentations on the H Street retail mapping & storytelling projects
Streetcar model display
Find out about Digital Capital Week activities

H Street Pop Up Lab Open House
Thursday, June 17 | 5-8pm
1300 H Street, NE
* Open during the ARTventures on H Street art gallery walk

Also open

Friday, June 18th 10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday,June 19th 10:00am – 4:00pm

Link roundup

Frozen Tropics finds a few detail about the sports pub planned for 523 H St (the SW corner of 6th & H), which is to be called "Our Place on H." It remains unclear when they hope to open and no application for a liqour license has been filed thus far.

Prince of Petworth reports rumors about Sticky Rice expanding and a new restaurant going in at 1015 H St. The new restaurant will be called the Atlas Room. Sticky Rice has since filed an application to amend their liquor license to allow them to operate out of both buildings.

HStreetDC on Twitter reports about World Cup on H Street. Biergarten was packed all weekend long, but Star and Shamrock and H Street Country Club are also opening early for games and were similarly jammed for USA v. Englad. Sticky Rice is opening early and Star and Shamrock just annouced they'll be open early this Friday morning for Team USA's next game.

Frozen Tropics live blogged the opening of Biergarten Haus and shares a bunch of great photos. Biergarten Haus is beautiful -- they did a great job inside and out and didn't skimp on the details at all. They had lines out the door most of the weekend and are definitely the hot spot in town to check out right now and for all your World Cup games.

The Washington Post selects ARTventures on H Street as one of their featured events of the week. ARTventures on H Street updated plans for the Thursday night artextravaganza noting that 8 restaurants Argonaut, TOYLAND, Sticky Rice, H Street Country Club, Ethiopic Restaurant, The Liberty Tree, Dangerously Delicious Pies, and The Pug would be participating and offering discounts and that "Art man" BK Adams latest installation had been added to the list of art stops along the tour. ARTventures will be this Thursday, from 5-9 p.m.

Granville Moore's to expand

Granville Moore's has long been one of the most popular H Street restaurants. Known for its extensive belgian beer offerings and Chef Teddy Folkman's nationally-known moules frites, the biggest complaints about Granville Moore's is the lengthy waits for tables on many nights of the week. For several months, Granville Moore's has been rumored to be expanding. Unfortunately, neither of their neighboring buildings were made reasonably available to them, despite rumors that Granville Moore's would be one of the new tenants at the old Martini Lounge building, which is their immediate neighbor to the west. In good news, Granville Moore's now plans to expand down and will dig out their basement to create additional seating for fans to Teddy Folkman's mussels and fries.

Deperados Pizza coming to 14th & H St

The long rumored pizza spot coming to 1387 H Street is moving ahead. An application for a liquor license was recently filed. The application is from H Street Pizzeria, LLC under the trade name: Desperados Pizza. Angelico La Pizzaria still lists this H Street address as a "coming soon" location, but it appears that the owner has decided that it will instead be called Desperados Pizza. The application says that they plan for a summer garden with 24 seats and indoor seating capacity for 99. The interior of the three story building is still very much under construction at this point, but it is a deep and large building with significant seating capacity on H Street and along the rear of the property near G Street and current plans call for two dining rooms with one in the front and another in the rear of the first floor.

ARTventures on H Street, Thursday, June 17, 5-9 pm

CHAMPS Presents ARTventures on H on June 17. Thursday Night Art Walk Features Eleven Art Venues and Special Dining Discounts on H Street, NE.

On June 17, CHAMPS - Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce presents ARTventures on H. From 5-7:30pm, eleven different galleries and art spaces along the H Street Corridor will open their doors to the Capitol Hill community for a special neighborhood art walk. Participants will each be given an ARTventures “passport,” to be stamped at each stop on the art walk. For every stamp received, attendees receive an increased discount at more than ten participating restaurants that evening from 7-9pm.

The twelve stops on the art walk are:

Bryant K. Adams "Artman": 300 block of H Street, NE (installation)
Studio H: 408a H Street, NE (www.studiohdc.com)
City Gallery: 804 H Street, NE (www.citygallerydc.com)
Jorge Velazquez: 1015 H Street, NE
Atlas Performing Arts Center: 1333 H Street, NE (www.atlasarts.org)
SOVA Espresso & Wine: 1359 H Street, NE (www.sovadc.com)
Gallery O/H: 1354 H Street, NE (www.galleryoonh.com)
H Street Playhouse: 1365 H Street, NE (www.hstreetplayhouse.com)
G Fine Art: 1350 Florida Avenue, NE (www.gfineartdc.com)
Conner Contemporary Art: 1358 Florida Avenue, NE (www.connercontemporary.com)
Industry Gallery: 1358 Florida Avenue, NE – Suite 200 (www.industrygallerydc.com)
Evolve Urban Arts Project: 1375 Maryland Avenue, NE (www.evolvedc.com)



Participating restaurants that will be offering ARTventures passport discounts are:

Ethiopic: 401 H Street, NE (www.ethiopicrestaurant.com)
Toyland: 421 H Street, NE (www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-DC/TOYLAND/253923606318)
Liberty Tree: 1016 H Street, NE (www.libertytreedc.com)
Sticky Rice: 1224 H Street, NE (www.stickyricedc.com)
The Pug: 1234 H Street, NE (www.thepugdc.com)
H Street Country Club: 1335 H Street, NE (www.hstreetcountryclub.com)
Dangerously Delicious Pies: 1339 H Street, NE (www.dangerouspiesdc.com)
Argonaut: 1433 H Street, NE (www.argonautdc.com)

“It is refreshing to see so many businesses working together cohesively as part of ARTventures on H, and we are thrilled to produce this great event, aimed at getting our local community out to discover all that the H Street Corridor has to offer,” says Julia Christian, CHAMPS Executive Director. “As part of our Buy Local Campaign that kicks off this summer, ARTventures on H provides local Capitol Hill residents the opportunity to experience all that our great neighborhood has to offer – without the out-of-town crowds.”

In addition to the art displays and dining discounts associated with ARTventures on H, several other events are happening on H Street on June 17. For up-to-date information about ARTventures on H (including maps, transportation, and dining discounts), visit www.capitolhill.org. On Facebook, search for “ARTventures on H Street.” On Twitter at www.twitter.com/ARTventuresOnH. ARTventures on H is free and open to the public.

Sticky Rice to expand, taking over building to west (1222 H St)

Sticky Rice (1224 H St) has worked out a deal to expand and is taking over 1222 H Street, which is the red building immediate on their left as you are facing the popular sushi restaurant. The building is next door to the new Greek mezze restaurant that is expected to open later this summer at 1220 H Street.

Sticky Rice seems to always be packed so this will be good news for fans of their creative sushi offerings and tater tots who don't like to wait for tables on busy evenings. They are expected to gain an additional 40 seats from two floors in the neighboring building. 1222 H St was previously vacant, so the expansion will also further reduce the number of vacant properties along H Street.

Biergarten opens and link round up

Biergarten Haus opened this morning and
Frozen Tropics is there live blogging with lots of pictures. The rest of us are jealous!

Thrillist also has a nice video up giving a quick tour of around the interior and into the garden.

Tommy Wells shares the latest developments and plans for H Street construction. Progress has picked up along the eastern end on the north side of the street and construction has begun switching to the south side of the street. The total project – from 3rd Street to an end point just east of 14th Street – is approximately 60% complete. The target date for substantial completion of the entire project is June 2011. The block-by-block status and schedule is available here.

Rita's Water Ice (1014 H St) is getting close to opening

Rita Water Ice (1014 H St) has their sign up and has completed most of their internal build out with their counters and cash registers already installed. Their opening date remains unclear, but it seems like their goal of opening this summer may well be realized if permitting can keep up with construction.

This is another favorable development on the 1000 block, which should also have another nice dining option in the Atlas Room at 1015 H Street by later this summer. More details on that exciting new restaurant coming soon.

Kelvin Robinson to challenge Tommy Wells for Ward Six Council Seat

Kelvin Robinson has dropped his candidacy for the At-large seat held by Councilmember Phil Mendelson and is instead going to try to unseat Tommy Wells as the Councilmember for Ward Six.

WP's Mike DeBonis broke this new this morning. Robinson said in a press release that "I understand that my focus and energies are needed more in my home Ward where the issues of juvenile crime, smart development, better schools and good paying jobs are of concern to Ward 6 residents."

Mike Neibauer followed up with more details in the Washington Business Journal. Neibauer reports that Robinson thinks Wells hasn't done enough constituent service and that parts of Ward Six are "not getting the attention they deserve."

WeLoveDC says Robinson says a letter signed by two of his ANC colleagues -- Mary Beatty and Gladys Mack -- to Tommy Wells was the basis of his decision.

Robinson appeared to facing an uphill battle to gain traction in the race against Mendleson entering the race only after Clark Ray had already established himself as a serious alternative to Mendelson for the At-large seat. Wells was previously unopposed in the Democratic primary for the Ward Six seat, which makes Robinson his primary challenger and may allow more light for his candidacy. Robinson has served as Chairman of ANC6A for the past few months after being appointed to represent the far eastern end of the ANC in February 2009.

Happy Hour Tonight 6-8 pm, at Studio H (408 H St) for closing of Ellen Cornett's Juxtapositions

Happy tonight at Studio H (408 H St).

This is your last chance to see Ellen Cornett's remarkable pastels before the show is struck. Also on display are and hanging are Cornett's half-size-to-life marionettes which inspired many of her works. There are a few pieces left for sale including some framed pen and ink drawings for $190.

For more information about Studio H Gallery and Workshop, please visit www.studiohdc.com. Studio H is located at 408 H Street NE second floor Washington, DC 20002. Hours are by appointment.

Biergarten looks amazing and opens Friday morning at 9:00

I took a sneak preview of Biergarten Haus (1355 H St) earlier this week and it looks fanastic and they are ready to go. It's not hyperbole to say that this may be the biggest and best addition to H Street yet.

In addition to two projection screens, they've got a few flat screens set up outside for all your World Cup viewing needs. They have two bars inside (one on each floor) as well as an outdoor bar. They'll serve breakfast starting with their opening weekend and the food will be very good -- I tried three different sausages (wurst), the sauerkraut (family recipe), potato pancakes, and the apple streudel and everything was delicious. The garden space is huge and looks fantastic with seating for over 200. This is going to be the go to spot for German fare and also for outdoor dining and drinking, especially given that they have outdoor screens to watch games on and will have outdoor cooling systems in place for when it gets hot later this summer. On nice nights, this might be the biggest and best outdoor dining/drinking space in town. They may not have their full menu up and running by this weekend and they'll continue to finalize and improve over the summer, but expect Biergarten to be a hit from day one.

Doors open Friday morning at 9:00. World Cup match #1 starts at 9:30 a.m. USA opens against England Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Strasburg's second start for the Nats is Sunday at 1:05 p.m. The beer will flow all weekend long and the weather report looks good.

Noma BID Summer Screen: Donnie Darko tonight

Noma BID Summer Screen presents films at 3rd and L each Wednesday evening with BBQ and music at 7 and the film starting at 9. Tonight's movie is Donnie Darko, which they describe as "A teenager (Jake Gyllenhaal) lost in time is plagued by visions that manipulate him to commit a series of crimes."

Council hearing on Streetcars legislation: Tuesday, June 22, at 2 p.m.

Last week, Councilmember Tommy Wells was joined by all but one of his colleagues (Phil Mendelson) in introducing a bill to transfer the ban on overhead wires in DC to DC Code, to allow a narrow exception for streetcar wires along H Street, and to require the Mayor to submit a report on how soon those wires could be replaced with wireless technology. The bill was referred to the Council's Committee on Public Works and Transporation. Councilmember Jim Graham chairs that Committee, is a support of streetcars, and will be holding a public hearing on the bill in two weeks on Tuesday, June 22, at 2:00 p.m. You are encouraged to attend and testify or to submit testimony in the hearing annnouncement below.

COUNCILMEMBER JIM GRAHAM, CHAIRPERSON
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION
ANNOUNCES
A PUBLIC HEARING ON
B18-823, the “Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010”
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 AT 2:00 P.M.

ROOM 412, JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING
1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004

On Tuesday, June 22, 2010, Councilmember Jim Graham, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, will convene a public hearing on B18-823, the “Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010”. This notice is being abbreviated because a prompt hearing may increase District opportunities for Federal grants.

Bill 18-823 would prohibit the installation of any additional telephone, electric lighting, or other wires over any of the streets or avenues of the City of Washington, except for those aerial wires the Mayor may authorize for the purpose of powering transportation infrastructure projects; repeal a section of an Act making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine, and for other purposes; and repeal a section of an Act making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety.

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Those who wish to testify should contact Ms. April Hawkins-Mason at (202) 724-8195. Witnesses should bring 16 copies of their testimony to the hearing. Individuals will be permitted 3 minutes for oral presentation; individuals representing organizations or groups, 5 minutes.

If you are unable to testify at the public hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to Ms. Hawkins-Mason, Committee on Public Works and Transportation, Room 116, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20004, or electronically at ahawkinsmason@dccouncil.us, by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010.

Link roundup

Harry Jaffe credits those of us who were displeased when Council Chair Vince Gray tried to funnel the funding for the H Street streetcars to a park in Georgetown and other projects in Anacostia for getting the Council to restore the funding to advance the H Street line, but rather than applauding our civic activism to improve public transportation instead derides us as "buppies" and "yuppies." Thanks for reading the blog, Mr. Jaffe. We'll keep working to make DC a better place to live and do business and you are welcome to call us whatever you like, but we wont stand for this neighborhood being called neglected any longer.

BeyondDC offers a host of reasons for why streetcars are important and different than other forms of public transporation such as buses.

Greater Greater Washington reports that the owners of the tunnel that will be used to connect the H Street line to Union Station are balking and seemingly posturing for negotiating position with the city.

THIH's Jen DeMayo sums up and share some highlights for the upcoming summer film series at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St).
.
THIH also favorably reviews "Gretty Good Time" at the H Street Playhouse (1365 H St). Performances are Thursday through Sunday through July 3. Tickets available online.

Tommy Wells announced the Kingman Island Bluegrass Fesitival this Saturday afternoon. Kingman Island is accessible off the northeastern edge of RFK stadium. One of our favorite performers, Stripmall Ballads, will be on hand. Stripmall Ballads is also performing at SOVA tonight at 8.

The Washington Examiner picks up on Councilmember Tommy Wells' effort to enact an earlier youth curfew during the summer months, which was defeated by the narrowest of margins last week. Is anyone surprised that At large Councilmember Phil Mendelson cast the deciding vote in opposition to the measure? He sure seems eager to provide material to the opposition researchers working against his reelection lately as he was the lead opponent to streetcar funding and the only councilmember of 13 not to cosponsor Tommy Wells' bill to adopt a local ban on wires and permit the streetcars to proceed along H Street.

Biergarten Haus more details and opening menus

Biergarten Haus (1355 H St) is slated to open June 11th 2010, just in time to host great World Cup viewing, including on outdoor projection screens.

It's going to be huge with over 7000 square foot featuring 2 outdoor patios, 3 bars, and 2 outdoor 100 inch projection screen televisions. The menu will offer 30 German and European beers and home-style German offerings such as brats, knockwurst, spatzle, and schnitzle.

They'll have 12 beers on tap and more available by the bottle and a hearty German menu with offerings including one, two, or three wurst platters.

Stay tuned for more details very soon.

Fenty responds to Gray's handling of streetcars in budget; Gray suggests staff responsible for late night cut, says he's now "supporting streetcars"

From a mayoral debate last week (via Mike DeBonis in the Washington Post).

It can't be the shenanigans that were pulled around the streetcars the other day -- wherein we had a balanced budget, we had the streetcars completely paid for, and at 2 o'clock in the morning, the city council, drafted by Chairman Gray, took the money away only to use it, to spend it on pork and other pet programs. And they found $47 million out of thin air and added that to the budget...

The Fenty campaign seems to see an opening here and Gray is on the defensive over his mishandling of the issue. Also via Mike DeBonis:

In an interview Wednesday night, Gray suggested for the first time that the streetcar change was due to a staff error and that he did not approve the wee-hours reshuffling....

The bad news for Gray: Neither explanation bolsters the image he's trying to project over the next 100 days...

"I am where I said I was," [Gray] said Wednesday. "At the end of the day, I'm supporting streetcars."

Streetcars update: Tommy Wells intro's bill to allow wires on H Street, but maintain ban elsewhere and seeks to remove wires when feasible

On Tuesday, Councilmember Tommy Wells introduced a bill to move streetcars forward on H Street. Among other things, the bill would repeal a federal law prohibiting overheard wires in the District and replace it with a DC law that would ban the use of overheard wires other than along the H Street line. The bill accomplishes an interesting process whereby the DC Council can repeal a federal law that covers the District, which was enacted by Congress prior to DC being governed by home rule.

12 of the 13 members of the DC Council agreed to cointroduce the bill with Wells. The lone holdout was At-large Councilmember Phil Mendelson who we have previously cited as a problem Councilmember for H Street streetcars.

Mendelson apparently remains unmoved by the strong support for streetcars within the H Street corridor and is willing to risk his continued opposition to this project which represents the future of public transportation and is a key to connecting neighborhoods within the District. After Mendelson joined Vince Gray is his attempt to cut funding for streetcars, his election opponent Clark Ray chasitised him saying he was "Very disappointed in the Council's vote to redirect dedicated street car funding to other projects - this work in progess should continue!" Council has since restored funding for the H Street line and the purchase of additional streetcars to run along it, but Mendelson apparently remains unmoved in his opposition, despite the fact that the lead opponent of streetcars -- Meg Maguire of the so-called Committee of 100 -- told the Washington Post's Mike Debonis that her group may not oppose Wells' narrowly tailored legislation because she thinks "its moving in the right direction" and because it maintains the ban on overhead wires throughout the rest of the District.

In short, the bill:

- Converts the aerial wire ban to a local law by repealing the 1888 & 1889 laws, and then re-establishing the aerial wire ban as local law (we have several legal memos and analyses that outline the District’s legislative authority to repeal the federal law and create a local law)
- Creates authority for the Mayor to allow aerial wires deemed necessary to “power transportation infrastructure projects”, but limits the Mayor’s authority to use aerial wires to a strictly defined H Street / Benning Road segment (i.e., does not remove the ban in historic Capitol Hill or Georgetown), until the Mayor develops a city-wide plan, subject to Council approval, for the use of aerial wires for additional streetcar routes with special attention paid to view corridors of the federal monumental core.
- Requires the Mayor to submit a report by January 2014 on the feasibility of converting to non-aerial power where any aerial wiring has been installed.

The bill was referred to the Council's Committee on Transporation and Public Works, which is chaired by Councilmember Jim Graham. A hearing date has not yet been announced.

First Saturday FreshFarm Farmer's Market: Dolcezza and Red Apron return

Tomorrow is the first Saturday of the month, which means the FreshFarm Farmer's Market on H Street will be hosting a variety of specials, including the presence on popular charcuterie and meat purveyor Red Apron and Dolcezza Gelato. These are among the FreshFarm Farmer's Markets most popular purveyors and they should be welcomed with open arms at the growing H Street Market. The usual vendors -- from Dangerously Delicious Pies to Keswick Creamery to Cedarbrook Farms (pork), to Atwater Bakery will also be there.

Sherwood Recreation Center Garden Planting and Neighborhood Beautification Saturday, June 5, 10 am-1 pm

Neighborhood Beautification Project: Sherwood Recreation Center Garden (10th & G Street)

A work session is planned for Saturday, June 5, from 10 am until 1 pm. Tools will be provided and gardening experience is not necessary. Come help beautify our community. If you have a hoe and/or a wheel barrel that would be helpful. Contact the organizer E.J. Truax at 546-7638 with any questions.

ArtVentures: Art Gallery Walk and Tour with 10 H Street Galleries: June 17, 5-7:30 pm

Thursday Night Art Walk Features Ten Galleries and Dining Discounts on H Street

On June 17, CHAMPS - Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce presents ARTventures on H. From 5-7:30pm, ten different galleries and art spaces along the H Street Corridor will open their doors for a special neighborhood art walk. Participants will each be given an ARTventures “passport,” to be stamped at each stop on the walk. For every stamp received, attendees receive an increased discount at ten participating restaurants that evening from 7-9 pm.

The ten stops on the art walk are:

Studio H: (408a H St)
City Gallery: 804 H St
Jorge Velazquez: 1015 H St
H Street Playhouse: 1365 H St
SOVA Espresso & Wine: 1359 H St
Gallery O: 1354 H St
G Fine Art: 1350 Florida Ave
Conner Contemporary Art: 1358 Florida Ave
Industry Gallery: 1358 Florida Ave – Suite 200
Evolve Urban Arts: 1375 Maryland Ave

“It is refreshing to see so many business working together cohesively as part of ARTventures on H, and we are thrilled to produce this great event, aimed at getting our local community out to discover all that the H Street Corridor has to offer,” says Julia Christian, CHAMPS Executive Director. “As part of our Buy Local Campaign that kicking off this summer, ARTventures on H provides local Capitol Hill residents the opportunity to experience all that our great neighborhood has to offer – without the out-of-town crowds.”

In addition to the ten different art exhibits, and dining discounts associated with ARTventures on H, there are several other events happening on H Street on June 17. For complete, up-to-date information about ARTventures on H (including maps, transportation information, and dining discounts), follow ARTventures on Twitter and Facebook!

Now in its 27th year, CHAMPS (Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce) promotes, educates and advocates for Capitol Hill businesses and connects Hill businesses with the greater community. Learn more about CHAMPS at www.capitolhill.org or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/capitolhilldc

SAVOR Beer Week events on H Street tonight and next week

Wednesday, June 2, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
"The Clash of the Titans” at The Red and The Black (1212 H St)

“The Clash of the Titans” will feature Great Lakes Brewing Company's Lake Erie Monster and Harpoon Brewing's Leviathon. There will be a limited amount of Great Lakes' Blackout Stout. Music will be provided by Nathan Robinson (of Archivist) and Friends. Glassware giveaway while supplies last and $3.00 red beans and rice. http://www.redandblackbar.com

Wed, June 2, 10:00 pm - 12:00 am
American Craft Beer Tasting at Granville Moore's (1238 H St)

Too late for those award-winning mussels but the folks at Granville Moore's are featuring a bunch of American craft beers including Brooklyn Barleywine, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Brooklyn Local 2, Anchor Porter, Rogue Chipotle, Coney Island Albino, River Horse Triple and others. Free Granville Moore's glasses to the first 30 people.

Tuesday, June 8, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Indian Cuisine & Beer Pairing at Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar (1104 H St)

Mike Farahbakhshian will set up on our grill to prepare a couple of curries (lamb saag & malai kofta) and possibly a chicken vindaloo. Nothing cuts a curry better than crisp clean pilsners & lagers like Lagunitas Pils, Eggenberg Pilsner, DAB Original, Hansa Export, Penn Dark Lager, Bell's Lager, or even a Stone Pale Ale. Get yourself a belly full & join us for BIG CURRY TRIVIA at 8 PM. (http://littlemisswhiskeys.com)

Biergarten Haus to open June 11

The WP report of June 11 as the set in stone official opening date for Biergarten Haus (1355 H St) has been confirmed.

Living Social: Half Off $50 Gift Certificates to H Street Country Club plus two free rounds of golf

Today's Living Social Deal of the Day offers two rounds of golf plus $50 worth of food and drink at H Street Country Club (1335 H St) for $25.

Link roundup

The Hill is Home has this update on the redevelopment of the old Fire House on the 1300 block of Maryland. It's being redone as small condo project that preserves historic facade in conjunction with a similar plan from the same group for the old Police Station at 525 9th Street.

DC Urbanturf announced that the city would be auctioning off 18 vacant properties on June 30, including a couple in prime just north of H Street locations at 813 4th Street and 805 7th Street.

DCMud reports that the Washington Center (1005 Third St) opened Wednesday and now provides housing to over 300 students. The story also notes that two other major development projects near H St will open soon, Constitution Square will begin renting its 440 apartments late this summer, and the Loree Grand will also soon open its doors to 212 new residents across the street from The Washington Center at 3rd & K Sts.

Greater Greater Washington has this comprehensive write-up of Tommy Wells new bill to resolve certain obstacles to implementing streetcars on H Street. Wells will introduce the bill today and we'll have more on that here soon. This should help put some of the concerns that were raised during the budget debate over streetcar funding behind us.