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.

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!

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. 

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.

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

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!

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. 

 

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.