JBG Convention Center Hotel Lawsuit Dismissed

As reported by the Washington Business Journal, a judge dismissed the JBG lawsuit blocking the convention center hotel last night. Hopefully this clears the way for a spring groundbreaking.

New Monthly Shaw Column

In case you cannot get enough renewshaw.com here or on twitter, I recently began contributing a monthly column about the neighborhood to the newly re-branded monthly newspaper DC MidCity (formerly DC North). The column will have a similar content and voice to which you have become accustomed in my vast media empire. Last month's column, available here, spotlighted some of the unique businesses around the convention center. This month's column is in the editor's hands now and should come out shortly.

City Paper Publishes Best of 2010

I haven't gotten a chance to click through every category, but it looks like Shaw did well again in this year's Best of Poll by the Washington City Paper. Check out all of the results here. A few noteworthy nods include:

1. Wagtime won Best Doggie Daycare;

2. Nellie's won DC's Best Gay Bar/Club (followed by another Shaw venue, Town; and

3. The kimchi hog dog at the Passenger was the Best Bar Snack, picked by City Paper's staff.

I'm sure there are many others. Congrats to all winners!

Maruka Gallery Features Wainright Dawson III

This month, Maruka Gallery is featuring new works by mixed media artist Wainright Dawson III. Wainright Dawson III is a creative and prolific talent living and working in Washington, DC. He works in mixed media, weaving material, yarn, foil, and daily items into his art. Wainright brings iconic figures to life and captures the essence of capital cities and cultural populace with uncanny brilliance. His pieces are truly unique and innovative creations. So stop by Maruka on this gorgeous weekend and check out their latest show!

Also worth noting is that Maruka has a great sale going on currently -- select items are on sale for up to 50 percent off at the Maruka Boutique.


Maruka Gallery and Boutique
1300 Ninth Street NW (corner of 9th and N streets NW)202.745.1881
info@marukadc.com

Douglas Development Contemplates New Building on Ninth

At tomorrow (Thursday, March 18, 2010) night's Blagden Alley-Naylor Court ("BANC") Association Monthly Meeting, Douglas Development will discuss its development plans for the southwest corner of Ninth and N Streets, Northwest (the lot presently occupied by Old City Green). Plans are very preliminary and probably at very least a year away from becoming a reality. Douglas Development requested this opportunity to solicit community input.

How do you think this corner lot should be developed? I think a mini version of The Exchange (the building on the opposite corner), with ground floor retail and residences above, would look great. A modern, large restaurant with rooftop seating like Lauirol Plaza would be cool too.

I will be sad to see Old City Green displaced, but hope that when this project moves forward we can help find them a new home nearby. A few places I have in mind are the corner of Seventh or Marion and P or in the 1300 block of Ninth.


BANC Association Monthly Meeting
The Exchange Building, 875 N Street Northwest (North side of N on the side of the Exchange Building at the corner of Ninth and N Streets, Northwest)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Gathering 6:45, Meeting 7 PM

Dickson Wine Bar Opens

Last Friday night on a whim, a few of us popped in the newly opened Dickson Wine Bar for a quick drink. As a result, I officially have a new neighborhood obsession: the small, cozy, and modern three level establishment is really cool. Featuring communal seating, the place has a really friendly vibe (it kinda reminded us of restaurants in Chicago that we adore, The Bristol and avec). The wine list is approachable and not too pricey, and the food selections all look tasty (think meat/cheese plates, flatbreads, desserts and the like -- I only looked quickly, but it does not seem like a place you'd go for a huge meal).

The Prince of Petworth posted a preview of the long-anticipated wine bar last week.

Dickson Wine Bar
903 U Street, Northwest

I Tweet

While I am a few years behind the curve, today I broke down and started a twitter account for renewshaw.com. I added a button to the right, where you can now follow my every move in and around the neighborhood (and beyond). I think this could be a useful tool for updates that might not be worthy of full on posts.

Vote for Last Year's Best New Business

From Shaw Main Streets:

Show your appreciation to your favorite new Shaw business: Vote in Shaw Main Streets’ fifth annual Best New Shaw Business of the Year contest!

New businesses that opened in 2009 are eligible. Businesses that relocated within the Shaw Main Streets service area or changed names and service businesses not located in retail locations are not eligible.

The business that receives the most votes will be recognized as the Best New Shaw Business of 2009 at the Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting on March 24, 2010, at 7:00 PM at Old Dominion Brewhouse, 1219 9th Street, NW.

Here is the list of candidates:

Adu-Genet Cafe, 811 Florida Avenue, NW
Independence Federal Savings Bank, 1301 9th Street, NW
The Motley Bar, 1318 9th Street, NW
Old City Green, 902 N Street, NW
The Passenger, 1021 7th Street, NW
Rock Starr Inkk Tattoo Studio, 809 Florida Avenue, NW
Rucker International Barber Shop, 809 Florida Avenue, NW
Salina Restaurant, 1936 9th Street, NW

To cast your vote, send an email to BestinShaw@gmail.com with the name of your favorite new retail business of 2009 in the subject line and your name in the message no later than 12:00 PM on Monday, March 22, 2010, in order for your vote to be counted. Only one entry per email address will be accepted.

Be sure to let your favorite business know you voted for them. And then plan to attend the Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting to see which new business won the award.

Washington Home and Garden Show This Weekend

It's again time for my favorite show at the convention center, The Washington Home and Garden Show. It runs from Friday through Sunday. Hope to see you there!


Washington Home and Garden Show
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
March 12-14, 2010

DCist Exposed Photo Show

This year's DCist Exposed Photo Show will be on display at our very own Long View Gallery from March 6 through 21. DCist is throwing an opening party for its show this Saturday night (March 6, 2010) from 6 to 10 p.m. Click here for more details on the party. DCist's beer sponsor, Pabst Blue Ribbon, will have homemade pinhole cameras to give away to the first 100 photography lovers who visit their table at the reception. The cameras will be loaded and ready for exposure, with directions for how to develop the paper.

Long View Gallery
1234 Ninth Street, Northwest
202.232.4788

Buy Me: 1544 Eighth Street

The 1500 block of Eighth Street is a neat community of neighbors: I attended an informal block party last year and was mightily impressed. It is also uber convenient, being just steps away from the O Street Giant (the future site of City Market at O development), the Shaw-Howard Metro Station, the new library, the convention center, and so on and so forth. With the vacant properties at the corner of Eighth and Q slated for rehabilitation under new ownership, the area is about to get a big boost in curb appeal too.

Check out this listing of a house that's for sale on that block. According to the flyer for the property:

Situated on one of the most charming blocks in the historic Shaw neighborhood, resides this wonderfully renovated Federal row house complete with an in-law suite. The upper level main house features two spacious bedrooms plus a large den/office, one and one-half updated baths, beautifully-appointed chef’s kitchen with adjacent open dining area, solid oak hardwood floors, custom stainless steel stair railings, skylight, beautiful front gardens, fantastic deck & backyard area perfect for entertaining as well as secure parking. The renovated lower level is self contained from the main house with separately metered electricity. It has an open living/kitchen area and 1 full bath. Ideally located just 2 blocks to the Shaw Metro, grocery stores, the Convention Center and the hip shops and restaurants of Logan Circle, U Street and Downtown.


FEATURES

UPPER LEVEL – MAIN HOUSE
¨ Superb Natural Light Throughout (East/West Exposures)
¨ 2 Spacious Bedrooms
¨ Large Den/Office
¨ Spacious Open Kitchen/Dining Area with Stainless Steel Appliances, Gas Range, 42” Cherry Cabinets, Granite Counters
¨ Solid Red Oak Hardwood Floors in Main Rooms
¨ Powder Room on Main Level
¨ Great Deck & Backyard for Entertaining
¨ Secure Parking
LOWER LEVEL
¨ Separately-Metered In-Law Suite (updated @ end 0f 2007)
with Spacious Open Living/Dining/Kitchen Area
¨ Currently Rented @ $1350/mo. (month-to-month)
¨ Tax ID – 0397//0014
¨ 2009 Property Taxes (for current owners) – $4861/yr
¨ Year Built – 1900
¨ Owner/Agent

Offered at $749,900

Vote Shaw in Best of DC

The Washington City Paper is holding its annual "Best of D.C." contest now through March 15. Cast your votes here! Shaw scored significant recognition in last year's poll; let's continue the tradition and keep Shaw on the map with Washington City Paper readers!