Friday, December 20, 2013

Celebrate New Year's Eve with your friends at Boundary Road (414 H St)

Join Boundary Road (414 H St) for a New Year's Eve of eating well, drinking to your hearts desire, toasting at midnight and enjoying the turn of the year among friends!

They will be offering a Three Course Prix-Fixe menu with an optional suggested wine pairing. Reservations are $45 per person. Add $25 dollars per person, to include the wine pairing. There will be party favors, a champagne toast, plus the ball drop together on their projector screen at midnight.

Reservations are available by telephone -- (202) 450 3265.
 
*****

Preview Chef Brad's NYE Menu below:

First

Champagne and Oyster Bisque
Or
Salad of endive, apple, blue cheese, and celery root

Second

Grilled Bison steak with chestnut sweet potatoes, garlicky broccoli, oxtail Demi glade
Or
Pan roasted winter flounder with caviar, blood orange guerre blanc, turnip puree, and wilted spinach
Or
Hearty winter vegetable farro risotto

Dessert

Selection of artisanal cheeses
Or
Warm apple pie with cinnamon ice cream

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Foie La La entries from Boundary Road, Atlas Room, Le Grenier, the Big Board, Granville Moores & Liberty Tree

7 of H Street's best restaurants are competing to offer the best foie gras dish now through December 30.  Stop by any of these establishments and then go to foielala.com to cast your vote for the best dish.  Details on the dishes our creative chefs have whipped up for the competition follow:

The Atlas Room - Seared and Chilled Foie Gras Torchon  | Spiced Cherry Walnut Caramel Nougatine | Passionfruit Gel $15

Boundary Road - Seared Foie Gras with Gingerbread Blini, Braised Collards, Crispy Pork Belly, and a Maple Apple Brandy Gastrique $19

The Big Board - Seared Foie Gras with Fig and Onion Compote $10. For $10, Add seared foie to our Port d'Amsterdam Burger (sautéed crimini mushrooms, port reduction and aged swiss, $9 for 6 oz. and $11 for an 8 oz. patty)

Granville Moore's - Foiestrami on Toasted Rye with Whole Grain Mustard and Slaw  $16

Le Grenier - Foie Gras revisite: Foie gras creme brulee, Sauternes-quince gelee & toast $8.95

Liberty Tree - Foie Gras Torchon with toasted brioche, balsamic red onion jam, baby arugula, fermented black pepper and sea salt
 
Below are photos of the dishes from Boundary Road and Granville Moore's
 

 

Reminder: Meeting Regarding Bar/Restau​rant Patio/Roof​top Deck Hours tonight, 7 pm at Maury Elem (1250 Constitution Ave)

A reminder about tonight's ANC meeting with various H Street liquor license holders regarding whether these bars and restaurants should be allowed to keep their roof decks and patios open later into the early morning hours.  Currently, their agreements with the ANC lead them to close the outdoor areas prior to last call.  ANC6A, like many other neighboring ANCs, asks the establishments to close the outdoor areas to help minimize the sound impact to the neighboring homes.  Joe Englert and a few other business owners (representing Rock n Roll Hotel, H Street Country Club, Vendetta and Little Miss Whiskeys) are seeking to eliminate that restriction to allow them to continue to produce revenue from the outdoor spaces until last call.  They asked the Alcohol Board to void their existing voluntary settlement agreements with the ANC.  We don't support either request because we believe it would cause unnecessary harm to the nearby neighbors of those and other H Street establishments, but we encourage those with views either way on this matter to participate in tonight's discussion.  
Hi all,
Just a friendly reminder of the ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee meeting taking place tonight to discuss hours for public space patios and rooftop decks in ANC 6A.  The meeting will begin at 7pm and will take place at Maury Elementary School (1250 Constitution Ave. NE) (note the different location from our normal meeting space).
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to let me know.  Hope to see you there!
 
-Jay 
Jay Williams, Commissioner, ANC 6A05 & Chair, ANC 6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee

Friday, December 13, 2013

Foie La La La La on H Street 12/16-30; 7 of H Street's best restaurants launch Foie Gras competition 12/16-30

FOIE LA LA LA ON H STREET NE
Seven Atlas District Restaurants Decking their Plates with Lobes of Foie Gras
December 16th - 30th
 
The holidays are a time to celebrate and indulge in a few of the finer things - damn the consequences. Seven restaurants along the H Street corridor in NE Washington feel that a feast is in order, celebrating one of the finest ingredients in life - FOIE GRAS! Starting on Monday, December 16th, continuing through December 30th, restaurants participating in Foie La La La H Street will offer a foie gras special on their menus. Diners can then vote for their favorite foie dish at www.foielala.com.
 
"There is nothing quite like foie gras when it comes to indulgence," says Chef Brad Walker, co-owner of Boundary Road who came up with the idea for the Foie La La La H Street competition. "It's rich, unctuous, luxurious, and the most delicious substance on earth. During this time of year we want to revel in our favorite ingredient, and we thought it would be more fun to have a bunch of our neighboring restaurants celebrate with us."
 
In addition to Boundary RoadFoie La La La H Street participants include The Big Board, Le Grenier, The Atlas Room, Liberty Tree, Granville Moore's and Red Rocks. Voting opens to the public on Monday, December 16th. The restaurant with the most votes at the end of the competition wins bragging rights up and down H Street NE. 
 
"Come and eat. Be warm," says Walker. "We wouldn't want you to go into the winter unprepared."

Boundary Road, Metro Mutts & Hunted House remind you that every day is small biz Saturday w/ 10% off w/ receipt from another neighboring business

I love the way our small businesses on H Street often work together as part of a community.  Small business Saturday was a couple weeks ago, but in our neighborhood and if you really love small businesses, you know that every day is Small Business Saturday.  Now through Christmas, visit Boundary Road, Metro Mutts, or Hunted House and take your receipt to one of the others businesses in that group and receive 10% off your purchase.  Sounds like a great excuse to do some holiday shopping and celebrate with dinner and a drink at one of H Street's best restaurants and bars. 

In honor of Small Business Day which was November 30th, Boundary Road kicked off their H Street Holiday Shopping Spree Deal featuring nearby neighbors Hunted House, Metro Mutts, and themselves:

Just bring in your receipt from any of the participating establishments (dated between Nov. 30 and Dec. 25th) into one of the other participating establishments, and your shopping spree has begun!!
 
From now through Christmas Day, receive:
10% off entire check at Boundary Road
10% off entire check at Metro Mutts
10% off entire check (on purchases over $50) at Hunted House

So walk on down the street, pick up your brick chicken, drink your Vespa, pick up gifts for four-legged friends, and find all your rare one-of-a-kind housewares and vintage apparel within one block!

 
Hunted House | huntedhousedc.com | 202.549.7493 |510 H St NE  
Metro Mutts | metromuttsdc.com | 202.450.5661 | 508 H St NE & 407 8th St SE
Boundary Road | boundaryroad.com | 202.450.3265 | 414 H St NE

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Donate toys for deserving children with Councilmember Tommy Wells through December 19

Please Join Tommy Wells in Donating Toys for Deserving Children
 
D.C. Councilmember Tommy Wells is collecting toys for the children of parents enrolled in the Community Action Group (CAG) Drug Rehabilitation Program. 
 
Tommy’s Toy Drive will conclude on Thursday, December 19.  The toys will be delivered to children by Councilmember Wells at the Annual CAG Family Holiday Party on Friday, December 20 at 7pm.
 
The Community Action Group (CAG) provides professional and compassionate social services to disadvantaged individuals and families of the Washington, District of Columbia Metropolitan area, including comprehensive rehabilitative social services for unemployed, underemployed, no-income to low-income individuals.  CAG has been collecting toys for children for over 10 years.
 
CAG Program Alumni have volunteered to wrap the donated presents on the evening of December 19th
 
Toy Drop-off Locations
 
Office of Councilmember Tommy Wells
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC, 20004
Telephone: 202.724.8072
 
Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Community Action Group
335 Eighth Street, SE (entrance on 7th Street)
Washington, DC 20003
Telephone: 202.543.4558
 
Christ Church of Capitol Hill
620 G Street Southeast
Washington, DC 20003
Telephone: 202.546.7543
 
* Also at Batter Bowl Bakery (Only Thursday, December 19, 8-9:30AM during Councilmember Wells Community Office Hours)
403 H Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002

 
 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Tips from MPD 1D Commander Hickson on preventing smartphone robberies

First District Commander Hickson shared the following tips to help prevent smart phone robberies:

In an effort to make the community aware of current trends, we are posting the below three tactics being used by individuals attempting to snatch smart phones.
 
·         Suspect approaches a potential victim and ask for the time, when the victim pulls out their phone to tell the suspect the time, the phone is snatched from the complainant’s hand.
·         Suspect will approach a potential victim and ask for directions to a particular location out of the immediate area. When the victim take out their phone and look the location up for the suspect, the perpetrator will ask to see the map on the phone at which time they snatch the phone and flee.
·          Suspect will approach a potential victim and ask to use their phone to call home, usually say they need to call their parents. When the victim complies with the request, the suspect runs off with the victim’s phone.
 
This is obviously not a complete list of tactics, but they are some of the trends we have noted in the last few months. Please remember to call 911 whenever you observe any suspicious activity or suspicious persons.
 
Commander Daniel P. Hickson
First District

SoberRide available to provide free rides home after 10 pm starting this Friday, December 14 through New Year's Day

The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn’t mean the roads should be.
 
If you are trying to fight off the winter chill with a chilled beverage of your own and partake in a bit too much “mystery punch” or adult eggnog over the Holiday season, stay safe and call SoberRide!
 
Together with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) SoberRide initiative, AT&T is proud to provide free taxi rides (up to $30) to anyone over 21 in the greater Washington, DC area nightly from 10pm until 6am starting Friday, December 13th, through New Year’s Day.  AT&T customers can call #WRAP to get a safe, free ride home, while others can dial 800-200-8294 (TAXI).
 
WRAP's SoberRide provides greater Washington, DC residents a safe way home on high-risk holidays, including the December/January holiday season, St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day and Halloween.

ANC6A to consider Joe Englert request to allow late night patio hours Tuesday, Dec 17, 7 pm @ Maury Elem (1250 Constitution Ave NE)

Joe Englert has petitioned to have the voluntary agreements that he entered into with ANC6A when he first opened a series of venues along H Street eliminated.  As part of his request, Englert is complaining that establishments that have patios on public space or rooftop decks are required to close those outdoor areas prior to last call in order to reduce the late night noise that impacts their nearby neighbors.  Englert's request to eliminate the restricted hours for the outdoor spaces will be heard by ANC6A this Tuesday, December 17, 7 pm at Maury Elementary School (1250 Constitution Ave NE).  If you have views on this issue, you should plan to attend and communicate them to your ANC Commissioner as well. 

At the meeting, there will also be an update regarding Ben's Chili Bowl who has refused to sign the agreement that every other liquor serving establishment on H Street has signed, thus forcing the ANC to protest their license application.  A note from the ANC's Alcohol Committee chair and the meeting agenda follow.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

2nd Annual DC Krumpusnacht! parade along H Street tomorrow night starting at Gallery O on H (1354 H)

Please join us Thursday, Dec 5th for one of DC's Greatest New Traditions…
 
The 2nd Annual DC Krampusnacht!
 
With the holidays now upon us, we're all familiar w/ the story of Santa Claus. But according to ancient lore, St. Nicholas actually had several attendants, one of which was the horned satyr Krampus. Whereas St. Nick would reward good little girls & boys, Krampus would punish the bad kids. For 'truly' bad children, he'd even carry them off to later be devoured as his X-mas dinner!  
Traditionally, Kampsuslauf takes place on Dec 5th (day before St. Nicholas Day). A celebratory parade carries through the night as caricatures march their way through the streets warning attendant children to be nice. 
In a city known for its cultural diversity & multinational intrigue, this year we're proud to host the 2nd Annual Kampuslauf on H Street. With a schedule of events that run throughout the evening, Kampusnacht offers a little something for everyone!  
 
Evening Schedule: 
 
6pm - Benefit Reception for "Santa's Cause DC" at Gallery O on H (1354 H St. NE DC).
 
        - Donations of $10 or unwrapped christmas gift requested.  

7pm - Krampuslauf Parade down H Street

9pm - Afterparty at Little Miss Whiskey's (1104 H St. NE DC)
 
- For a more detailed history see Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus
- For an idea as to the Krampuslauf Tradition see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLnl5ZWG4tg
 
All parties are welcome to join in the fun! Full or partial participation is DEEPLY encouraged.  For the parade, any reasonable attempt for authentic costumes (professional or amateur) shall be openly welcome. Please join us on Facebook for information on ideas, tutorials, pics, tips, & more… 
 
 
All efforts go to benefit Santa's Cause DC (www.Facebook.com/SantasCauseDC): a special project for "Family Matters of Washington, DC" - striving to enhance the lives of foster children throughout the DC area, they provide a program for personalized gifts both during the December holidays (delivered by Santa himself) as well as on birthdays. In addition, they provide needed supplies for the entire school year. We will be accepting unwrapped toys & monetary donations to benefit this most worthy cause.
 
So bring your family or friends & kick off the holidays with a fun filled evening for all! No Doubt, THIS is a night you won't want to miss! 

Monday, November 25, 2013

Meeting on NPS controlled Capitol Hill Parks: Thursday, December 5, 6:30 pm at St Monica & St James (222 8th St NE)

The National Park Service – Capitol Hill Parks Community Meeting has been scheduled.  This meeting is a follow-up to previous meetings held in September, but also to discuss any new topics that may have arisen since the last meeting.  The National Park Service is responsible for Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, and the pocket park at 11th & Maryland among others. 
 
 
Date:                     December 5, 2013 (Thursday)
 
Time:                    6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
 
Location:             Parish of Saint Monica and Saint James 
                                222 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
                                (Lower Level Parish Hall)

DPR hosting Winter Wonderland holiday break camp @ Sherwood Rec Center (640 10th St NE) for kids ages 6-12 years old

DPR Announces the 2013 Winter Wondercamp Schedule
Registration Opens Monday, November 25; Two Sessions will be Offered
 
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will offer DPR Winter Wondercamp in conjunction with the DC Public Schools (DCPS) winter holiday break.  DPR will operate the Winter Wondercamp in two sessions.  Session one will take place on Monday, December 23; Thursday, December 26 and Friday, December 27.  Session two will take place on Monday, December 30; Tuesday, December 31; Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3.  Winter Wondercamp is offered for children ages 3 to 5 years old, 6 to 12 years old and 8 to 13 years old.  Registration will open at 10 am on Monday, November 25, 2013.  Camps will operate from 9 am to 5 pm, with before care from 8 am to 9 am and after care from 5 pm to 6 pm.  Parents can either register online or by calling the camps office at (202) 671-0372.  In person registration is not available for Winter Wondercamp.

The fees for Winter Wondercamp are as follows:

  • Session 1: $30 per child; due at the time of registration
  • Session 2: $40 per child; due at the time of registration
  • $10 per child, per session for before care or after care; due at registration
  • Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable

Please note that breakfast and lunch will not be provided.  Parents are required to send children with a lunch and any additional snacks for the day(Please note that DPR's Camp policy (click here for the policy) on food and snacks should be adhered to.) 

The theme for Winter Wondercamp will incorporate DPR’s “Move, Grow and Be Green” initiative.  The camps, specifically catered to each of the three ages groups, will include sports activities, arts & crafts, and at least one field trip.  Activities will not only incorporate
personal development and environmental responsibility components, but they will also challenge and engage camp participants.

A sports camp, Camp Score, will be offered for the first time during DPR's Winter Wondercamp 2013.  Camp Score will be offered for children 8 - 13 years old at one location only, Langdon Park Community Center (2901 20th Street, NE).  Camp Score will be offered for both sessions and will not offer before care or after care.



Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th Street, NE) : Ages 6 - 12
 
Registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis.  It is recommended that first time users create a DPR account prior to attempting to register.


To Register:
  • Go to DPR's programs registration page.
  • Enter "Winter" in the search field, and Winter Wondercamp will show up in the drop down selections.
  • Select the program you would like to enroll your child in.  Programs will be added automatically into your cart.
  • Complete registration with payment. 
  • Remember, before and after care must be registered for separately.
  • All fees (camp registration, before care, after care) are non-refundable, non-transferable, and due at time of registration.

For more information on DPR's Winter Wondercamp, contact DPR's Camps/Seasonal Programs office at (202) 671-0372
.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Join Toki Underground, Frenchies & us at the 4th Annual FreshFarm H Street Food drive this Saturday

The Fourth Annual Food drive at the H Street FRESHFARM Market is coming up this weekend and we encourage your generous participations.

As you might recall these food drives are different than most. They collect monetary donations that they spend with their farmers; and everything that's collected then goes to their gleaning partner, First Church, which is working The Director of Community Services at Brookland Manor to identify families in need to receive baskets of fresh foods.  People can also bring non-perishable items from home, but they expect most donations will be monetary ones that are immediately spent with the farmers.

This year, First Church/Brookland Manor has requested 50 turkeys and H Street FRESHFARM is working hard to fulfill this big request. The point of the doing the food drives this way is that it is a double benefit - it helps the hungry but also helps the farmers with a boost in sales. While we can certainly get turkeys for less, in order to stay true to the organization and support our farmers, we want to get them from our farmers  (most of them are charging $4/lb). I estimate that we need at least $3000 to get requested birds.

The Market has already ordered 20 turkeys from Full Cellar Farm (who sells near the Wylie end of the market) and the past few weeks has been collecting money from shoppers by having people buy a "feather" and decorate a cardboard "turkey" at the info stand. They've already collected over $1500 as well as a generous pledge from Erik at Toki Understand.  However, we still need to collect a bunch more cash to get the remaining turkeys.

Please come to market and participate this weekend! On the day of the drive, Erik Bruner-Yang (of Toki Underground fame) is doing a demo and Frenchie's is doing Cookie Decorating activity (encouraging donations - proceeds will go to the drive). So H Streeters can stock up for the holidays, sample some great food from Toki, decorate a cookie and do some good.

If people can't make it to market but want to donate, please feel free to include my email (if you decide to post something)!  Donations can be made online (http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org/get_involved.php - just put food drive/H street in the subject line) or mailed to the address below.

Thanks!

Monday, November 18, 2013

H Street Office Hours with Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells Thursday, 8 am at Batter Bowl Bakery (403 H St NE)

Councilmember Tommy Wells hosts his monthly H Street Office Hours on Thursday, 8-9:30 am at Batter Bowl Bakery (403 H St NE).  These is a great opportunity to share neighborhood concerns with Mr. Wells and his staff and to work towards solutions to them or just to enjoy some coffee and baked goods with your neighbors. 

Friday, November 8, 2013

Note from Bens Chili Bowl re construction of new H Street Ben's posted to DonRockwell.com

The following comments came from Nizam Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl on DonRockwell.com.  Ali was responding to a question about the razing of the building at 1001 H Street NE, which has drawn a significant amount of interest in the neighborhood.  Ali explains that the razing was not the intended result and that the materials will be reused to restore the building as much as possible to its original state. 

Let me first say thank you for welcoming us into your neighborhood and for giving us the benefit of the doubt regarding the building construction.  So as you know, our family and Ben's is all about history, and about preserving what we can physically, as well as keeping the memory, stories and history of both U ST and our great city alive for visitors and new residents.  So from the beginning we charged our architect with essentially replicating the look of existing building and keeping the historic characteristics of it. So the cornice design, the brick detail coming down and the brick detail over the windows will be a part of the reconstructed building.  All of this is an added expense but it keeps the character of the building and of H ST so it was important.  I think you will like it and we hope the community does as well.  
The plan was to keep part of the existing facade up during the construction through it was going to be challenging and of considerable expense because the whole first floor of the building along H ST and a portion that wraps around to 10th ST is a bump out window system left from the former retail store George's Place. The problem was that when we got into the building and began construction we discovered significant water damage, crumbled brick, falling brick, and deteriorated wood and grout.  The back wall of the building already had a brace in it and was leaning.  So then it became a safety issue and we couldn't risk the building falling on the sidewalk.  Because of this we went back to the city and proposed a preservation plan so to make a long story short, we removed the front facade brick by hand and salvaged it. We will reuse all of the brick that is undamaged and safe to use as well as some of the timbers that we salvaged as well.  I think you will be happy when its all completed. 
As for being good neighbors we are trying our best. We went to the ANC on a few different occasions (and will be at the next one) in the beginning to share our plans and to get feedback and hear their concerns.  We finalized the plans incorporating their wishes and that of the community as regards to our entrance, the sizes and design of our windows, and we even set the trash containers within our space at the rear and will have a gate that encloses them within the rear of the building.  We also have designed the rooftop deck with walls to the south to abate any potential noise issues. So please know that we  are working hard and will continue to do all that we can to be good neighbors.  

Note the Ben's will be at the next ANC6A meeting on Thursday, November 14.  Last we heard, they had not yet signed the standard voluntary (settlement) agreement with the ANC, so the hours of operation of their roof deck and other matters that relate to the impact of the new business on the surrounding community remain unresolved.

1st Annual Emulsion: East City Art regional juried show starts Saturday at Gallery O on H (1354 H St)

EMULSION - the First Annual East City Art Regional Juried Show at Gallery O on H (1354 H Street NE) - an art featuring the work of 30 artists selected by juror Lauren Gentile, owner of contemporary wing gallery.

Opening Reception scheduled for Saturday, November 9 from 7-10pm.  Exhibition runs through January 11, 2014 

EMULSION

An emulsion combines two seemingly incompatible ingredients to produce a third yet entirely new substance.  In this spirit, East City Art’s EMULSION seeks to a wide array of art forms and mediums from two-dimensional work to performance based work to create a unified ensemble.

 

An open call for entry to all artists residing in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area yielded a total of 135 artists submissions.  Of these 135 submissions, Juror Lauren Gentile selected the following 28 artists to exhibit:

Acton, Jan Paul                                                 Chevy Chase, MD
Andrews-Weller, Kasse                                 Washington, DC
Balci, Selin                                                           Annapolis, MD
Bulisova, Grabriela                                          Alexandria, VA
Ceppetelli, Kurtis & Malone, Matthew   Washington, DC
Chaudhary, Asma                                            Annandale, VA
Davies, Adams                                                  Washington, DC
Griffiths, Adam                                                 Takoma Park, MD
Hopkins, Jessica Maria                                   Takoma Park, MD
Isaac, Mark                                                         Alexandria, VA
Johnson, Ryan Carr                                         Montgomery Village, MD
Jones, Wayson                                                  Brentwood, MD
Klein, Ariel J                                                        Silver Spring, MD
Kraft, Craig                                                          Washington, DC
Lê, Khánh H. & Than T. La                             Washington, DC
Luttwak, Dalya                                                  Chevy Chase, MD
O'Brien,Rindy and Elizabeth Eby                                Washington, DC
Pearson, Jennaway                                         Washington, DC
Salimbene, Nicole                                            Takoma Park, MD
Sessoms, Charles                                             Brentwood, MD
Tolman, Ben                                                       Washington, DC
Toye, Carolyn                                                    Washington, DC
Vigil, Suzanne                                                    Alexandria, VA
Walton, Jenny                                                   Washington, DC
Wanna, Steve                                                    Washington, DC
Williams, Acquaetta                                        Bowie, MD
Wodzianski, Andrew                                      Washington, DC
Zhao, Ruitong                                                    Washington, DC


On the night of the opening reception, the first, second and third place winners will be announced and will receive cash prizes of $1,250, $750 and $500 respectively.

The opening reception will include live music, performances, guest speakers, artists in attendance as well as food and drink.


About Juror Lauren Gentile

Lauren Gentile, founder of Contemporary Wing, has produced major exhibitions of historically significant artists including the 30 Americans artists, Shepard Fairey, the Guerrilla Girls, and JR, among others. While supporting the artists of today, she has helped nurture such emerging talent as GAIA, Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi, and Cheryl Pope.

She holds an M.A. in art business from Sotheby’s Institute London and B.A. degrees in art theory and criticism, art history and international studies from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, DePaul University, the University of Florence and the Goethe Institute.

Her private sector career includes work with art hedge funds and as director of sales in auction houses and galleries specializing in a variety of markets.

 

About Gallery OonH
Gallery OonH is a unique indoor-outdoor culture and community space where art, music and the unexpected come together to deliver a fresh approach to a retail experience. The vision for Gallery OonH is to be an intersection of culture and fun that provides an approachable destination for artistic, entertainment and cultural experiences.

What started out as a plan for a traditional “white cube” gallery exhibiting both self-taught folk art and a variety of local DC artists has grown into something much bigger and much more relevant to a growing neighborhood community. The goal is to provide the entire community easy access to unexpected and unique artistic programming and presentations.

… and what’s with the name “Gallery OonH”?
Well, it is three-fold. First to promote “OUR OWN” DC artists in a setting that is both friendly and inviting. Second, to support, encourage and promote the self-taught art of local OUTSIDER artists, like Jo-Jo Fekwa, Quest Skinner, Lee Wheeler, Tiffany Lasley and Cheriff Mamadou. Lastly, the “O” stands for OTTO, the principal owner of the gallery who believed in his dream that, in order to make a community stronger, art and music need to be a visible, viable component of the streetscape.

 

About East City Art
Phil Hutinet began East City Art on January 4, 2010 to document and promote the growing emerging visual arts movement in eastern Washington, DC.  The online visual arts journal covers the following areas:

•    The neighborhoods of Anacostia, Brookland, Capitol Hill, Deanwood, Ekington, H Street NE, NoMa and Trinidad in DC
•    The towns of the Gateway Arts District in Maryland including Brentwood, North Brentwood, Hyattsville and Mount Rainier

East City Art posts press releases about events, openings, calls for entry and coursework on a daily basis.  The publication has a dedicated staff of paid writers who interview local artists, lead community discussions and review local exhibitions.

East City Art’s mission is to connect local artists, galleries and educational centers with their communities.  As a community-based publication, East City Art highlights the irrefutable link between economic development and the arts, drawing attention to the valuable contributions artists, galleries and educational centers bring to neighborhoods.  The visual arts provide neighborhood vitality and stimulate local businesses while encouraging residential and retail development.  More importantly, the arts provide a vibrant forum for community discussion, debate and discovery.  Notwithstanding the importance of the visual arts as a catalyst for bolstering economic development and strengthening communities, East City Art never loses sight of art’s most important role- its ability to lift the human spirit through a common visual language that transcends class, race and gender.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Awesome new weeknight special at RedRocks H Street, incl 1/2 off wine, 1/2 off pizzas, all night HH & buy 1 get 1 1/2 off

RedRocks (1348 H St) has been a great addition to H Street.  We've had many meals there over the course of their first couple months and we've enjoyed them all.  They've got a gorgeous building, have done a terrific job making it feel comfortable, and offer excellent pizzas and a strong list of 20 beers on tap.  They're now offering some excellent discounts on weeknights as well.  Stop by to enjoy some great food and drink on the cheap.

Mondays: 1/2 off bottles of wine
Tuesdays: 1/2 price on all pizzas after 5 pm
Wednesdays: All night happy hour with $1 off all drafts & $5 glasses of wine
Thursdays: Buy one get half off your second drink

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Confirmed: Whole Foods coming to Insight Properties' Apollo Development at 6th & H

In November 2011, we broke the news that Insight Properties had purchased the 6th & H property that currently houses Murry's Food Store.  At the time, we suggested resurrecting the petition to bring Whole Foods to H Street.  In February 2012, we broke the news that they had also obtained a contract on the H Street Storage site.  At the time, we reported that the developers had grand plans to land premier tenants.  The first of their two tenants has now been confirmed as Whole Foods and they are expected to be open in a little over 2 years.  Insight controls the leases of all remaining tenants on site and hopes to begin demolition of the H Street Storage and Murry's buildings as soon as summer 2014. 

Insight expects their development and the Whole Foods to serve as a gathering place and an anchor in the heart of the H Street corridor.  They're coordinating with the Jair Lynch team that is developing the site across the street from them on H Street and both entities are working together on retail strategy.  Last we'd heard, the Lynch development included a CVS for the corner of 7th & H, but still had a few retail bays that were still available for lease.  With news that the project across the street is moving forward on an expedited basis, bringing another 400+ residential units and a Whole Foods, those are likely to be filled soon.

The second tenant for the eastern end of Insight's Apollo development remains undetermined, but they are seeking to lease the remaining space to a full service gym and have had conversations with multiple potential partners.  We'll keep you posted. 

This is terrific news for the neighborhood and will bring tremendous life to what is currently H Street's least activated block.  Congratulations to the folks at Insight who've done a great job working with the community to bring something special to Insight and welcome to H Street, Whole Foods!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Help design the new Sherwood Rec Center Playground w/ Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers, DPR & DGS, Tues, Nov. 5, 7 pm @ Sherwood

For the past couple years the Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers have been working to bring a playground to the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St NE).  Their dream has finally come true and DC is getting ready to add a new playspace to serve the increasingly many young children in our neighborhood.  Join the Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers, the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Department of General Services and SWS (the new school next door) to help design a great new playground for our neighborhood on Tuesday, November 5, 7 pm at Sherwood. 
 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Gallaudet students host fundraiser to support school in Guatemala at Vendetta Friday, Nov. 8, 10 pm

A Gallaudet MSW student and an H Street neighbor and fan passed along the following event for a good cause.  Four students in her MSW class are doing a community-based project with a goal of raising $6,000 to help teachers at LAVOSI, a deaf school in Guatemala.  More information is available here: http://www.gofundme.com/lavosi
 
In addition to fundraising through the website but they are also hosting an event at Vendetta (1212 H St) next Friday, November 8.  The event will be held from 10 pm to 1 am-- by only buying drinks, people will be making a difference as $1 per drink will be donated.
 
Help them reach to our goal of providing education for deaf children abroad by contributing through their website or having a drink at Vendetta next week.
 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

H Street Housewives returns to Capital Fringe, Nov. 2-16

H Street Housewives will be part of the fallFRINGE festival November 2-16, 2013
The hyperlocal, hyper-hilarious comedy is back! 
“Hysterical,” “savage” and recommended if you’ve “ever eaten Matzo balls at an Irish bar and had complicated feelings about the occasion.” **
 
Who, What, Where, When and More:
About:           
 
Backyard chickens. Flame wars on the mommy listserv. Slutty househusbands and a plot to change H Street forever. H Street Housewives – more drama than a night at TruOrleans.
Starring:Molly Woods Murchie, Jessi Baden-Campbell, Anika Harden, Peter J. Orvetti, Dane Edidi, Kevin Peck
written/produced by Jenny Splitter, directed by Kristy Simmons
Where:Fort Fringe - The Shop
607 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
(NY Ave NW btwn 6th and 7th) Chinatown or Convention Center metro
When:
 
November 2 6:00 PM
November 3 1:00 PM
November 8 8:45 PM
November 9 6:00 PM
November 15 11:00 PM
November 16 4:30 PM
Tickets & Passes:
 

About the Playwright/Producer

Jenny Splitter is a playwright and storyteller who lives in the H St NE neighborhood of Washington, DC. She made her storytelling debut in 2012 with the Bad Mommy Moments show for SpeakeasyDC, and has been blogging since 2009 at mamaliciousinthecity.com

 
About Capital Fringe
Capital Fringe is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2005 with the purpose of connecting exploratory artists with adventurous audiences by creating outlets and spaces for creative, cutting-edge, and contemporary performance in the District. Capital Fringe’s vital programs ensure the growth and continued health of the local and regional performing arts community by helping artists become independent producers while stimulating the vibrant cultural landscape in our city. 
**links to full reviews at http://hstreethousewives.com/reviews

 

Monday, October 28, 2013

Tommy Wells hosting community meeting on future of Options Public Charter School Monday, October 28, 6:30 pm, at Options (1275 E St NE)

Tommy Wells to Host Community Meeting on Future of Options Public Charter School
 
On Monday, October 28, Councilmember Tommy Wells will hold a public community meeting on the future of Options Public Charter School to receive feedback and input from the neighboring community and concerned DC residents.
 
WHAT:  Community Meeting on the Future of Options Public Charter School
WHEN:  Monday, October 28, 2013; 6:30-8:00PM
WHERE: Options Public Charter School - 1375 E St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Councilmember Wells will host a meeting with the court appointed Receiver for Options Charter School, Joshua Kerns, to hear community concerns about the school.

On October 3, 2013, the Court appointed Joshua Kern as Receiver for the Options Public Charter School (“Options PCS”). The Court appointed a Receiver in order to ensure that Options PCS is able to provide educational and support services to its students and to maintain the school’s safe and productive environment. The Court ordered Mr. Kern to hold, preserve, administer, and operate the business and activities of Options PCS in the best interests of the school’s students and the public.

Councilmember Wells emphasizes that the Court directed Mr. Kern to “not discuss any of his tentative or final findings or recommendations” in public meetings.  However, he is delighted that Mr. Kern is eager to listen to the community and consider community insights as he administers Options PCS.
 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Haunted Harvest Festival at Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan (215 G St NE) Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 pm

Here's another great opportunity to support a local DC Public School and to have some Halloween fun.  Show some love for one of our neighborhood's most popular schools -- we hear there will be some fantastic chili available courtesy of some of the school/neighborhood's great parents.  We hope to see you there!


Chef Matt Cordes unveils new menu at Atlas Room (1015 H St)

Atlas Room Chef/Owner Matt Cordes recently unveiled a new menu at the neighborhood's most critically acclaimed restaurant.  We've enjoyed every dish we've had here and can't recommend it highly enough.  If you haven't been, make plans to do so soon. 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Reminder: Streetcar Construction Update Meeting tomorrow, 6:30 pm at Miner Elementary (601 15th St NE)

REMINDER: DC Streetcar Construction Update Meeting

Tuesday, October 22, 6:30-8:30 pm at Miner Elementary (601 15th St NE)

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will provide an update on the final roadway construction currently underway along the H/Benning corridor and what residents can expect as we ready the corridor for delivery of streetcar vehicles. Following the overview, neighbors can participate in localized discussions and ask specific block-by-block questions of the project team.  Your involvement and feedback is essential to helping DDOT and other partnering entities plan, build and operate the best streetcar system possible. We look forward to seeing you there!
 
 

Toki Lunch begins 11/4 @ Toki Underground; Toki Union Market pops up @ Union Market 10/23; last Maketto residency service 10/31


#tokilunch
Serving lunch for the first time ever
Beginning November 4, 2013
Mon-Sat, 11:30am-2:30pm
First come, first serve
#tokiatunionmarket
Wed-Sat, October 23-November 3, 2013
Closed Sundays
Union Market Shoyu Ramen $12
Almost all ingredients sourced from Union Market
Counter Seating Only
 
And, the Maketto Residency at the Hanoi House on 14th Street, NW
is coming to an end on October 31.  If you haven't been, go now before
you miss out.  We've been twice and both visits have been among the
best meals we've had all year and better than our recent visit to the
critically acclaimed Doi Moi.  Hopefully, the end of the residency is a sign
that the beginning of Maketto at 1351 H Street is near.