Reader Inquiry: Composting in Shaw

A reader sent in the following question:

I couldn't find an email link on Old City Green's website and I know they are closed till spring, but I wanted to see if you knew of any business/co-op that composts nearby?

Anyone have any insight into Shaw composters?

Buy Me: The Nth Condominiums

Taken in early January 2011

I have been watching the progress of construction at 907 N Street, NW over the past year.  The four unit boutique condominium development sits on what was previously a vacant lot.  Its brick facade has some great detailing and fits in well with the historic district.

I finally found this listing for the project, which includes photographs and floorplans.  The development has been named "The Nth," and here's the realtor's description:

Mint boutique new DC condo building...Act now before it is gone! Get In early on two level 2 bedroom gems with private roof terrace! Room to roam and entertain, dark chocolate cabinetry, top notch stainless steel appliances and rich wood floors. Check out the soaring ceilings and available balconies, too.

Located just a few blocks from the Metro, Chinatown, MCI Center and 14th St. shopping. Neighborhood is evolving with a new Convention Center hotel and the new O Street Market project.

Available limited parking available for first few buyers, so hurry..they won't last! **Nth is not registered with DCRA and can only be reserved at this time**

I have updated my Developments in Shaw tab to reflect that construction on The Nth is complete.

Shaw in Brief

Here are a few noteworthy items on my radar:

Rendering of 1501 Ninth Street.

+ This morning, I spotted excavation equipment at 1501 Ninth Street, NW, thus indicating that construction is finally underway!  While funding has been in place for a while, permits were finally issued in December 2010, enabling the project to move forward. This small but highly visible and anticipated development will be a four story mixed use building with ground floor commercial and residential above. Mandalay Burmese Restaurant will occupy the commercial space. 

+ At its first meeting of the new term earlier this month, ANC2c commenced a new era of productivity, effectiveness and citizen involvement. One of the first items the Commission approved was the creation of five new committees: 1. ABC Licensing; 2. Communications (Website, Newsletter); 3. Housing and Economic Development; 4. Planning, Transportation, and Zoning; and 5. Public Safety. These committees should provide great outlets for us all to get involved in important matters affecting Shaw. If you are interested in serving on any of the new ANC2c committees, e-mail ANC2Clist@gmail.com to express your interest and to receive additional information.

+ On Monday, January 31, 2011, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m, at Martin’s Restaurant & Lounge (1919 Ninth Street NW 2nd floor), there Shaw/LeDroit community meeting ANC1B Commissioner Myla Moss. Of note, on the agenda is a discussion of Progression Place (the major mixed use project under construction on Seventh between S and T Streets), future home to the United Negro College Fund’s headquarters. The developers will make a presentation and answer questions.

Mood Lounge Coming to Ninth

Yesterday, I noticed the following permit rendering for the new awning at 1318 Ninth Street, NW, the former be bar/EFN Lounge/Motley Bar space. Apparently a business called “Mood Lounge” will open there soon. It is most exciting to know that this space will be occupied again soon, and I am hopeful Mood Lounge will be a great addition and draw to Shaw!

I have been unable to find out much of anything, but here is what I know about Mood Lounge. Back in November, I noticed (and Tweeted) that the for lease/sale sign had been removed from 1318 Ninth Street, NW.  I also noticed a building permit in the front window that read “REPLACE COUNTER TOP ON BARS ON BOTH LEVELS REFINSH BUILT IN SEATING BENCHES REPLACE FAULTY LIGHT FIXTURES REFINISH BAR SHELVES PAINT EXTERNAL WALLS.”

The Prince of Petworth also noticed the activity at 1318 Ninth and and posted about it in December. One of the commenters to the PoP story revealed a rumor that the new entity would be called Mood.

According to their agenda, ANC 2f considered a liquor license application for this address at their January 5, 2011 meeting.  The minutes of that meeting are not yet posted online, so I do not know the contents of the discussion.

**UPDATE**
Below is a photo of new awning, which was installed on January 20.  I saw it last night -- it looks great. The white lettering is back lit and draws your attention to this place.  

Civillian Art Projects Presents Climate Control

Civilian Art Projects relocated to our neighborhood in 2009 and has since been doing very exciting things from its home base on Seventh Street. Its latest group show -- which opens Friday (January 21, 2011) with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. -- is no exception. From the press release:

Civilian Art Projects presents climate, control, a three-person exhibition curated by Kristina Bilonick and Karyn Miller featuring J.J. McCracken, Jan Razauskas, and Millicent Young. The name climate, control refers to the artists' response to their immediate surroundings, as well as the exacting nature of their practice. The artists in this exhibition work in drastically different materials – from clay and horsehair to drawing and paint – but in each of their works, there is an intense focus on the precision of artistic production, and a sense of significance in the medium they chose to work in.

Civilian Art Projects
1019 Seventh Street, Northwest
202.607.3804



image credit: SHAWL 2009 by Millicent Young (grapevine, horse hair 2 x 20 x 4' (variable))

Long View Gallery Presents Ernesto Santalla

Long View Gallery celebrates the opening of its latest show of work by Ernesto Santalla this Thursday night (January 20, 2011) from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  The show will run through February 13. From the press release:

Ernesto Santalla's photographs from his collage series uniquely document Washington's record-breaking snows of 2010. With camera in hand, he trudged through the inhibited landscape and captured monotonous images from the storm. His shots were not wholly unlike the thousands of photographs many amateurs captured on their camera phones, but, according to Santalla, his otherwise "uneventful, uninspired and often mundane images evolve into fascinating kaleidoscopic photographs." Santalla's process of repeating and mirroring images results in a view of our city, under the blanket of a blizzard, unlike anything you've seen before. The images that emerge from the process are images that speak to the viewer on an individual level, from the prurient to the metaphysical, similar to inkblots.

The preview images from this show look really cool; I cannot wait to check them out in person.

Long View Gallery
1234 Ninth Street, Northwest
202.232.4788


image credit:  Second Impressions VII, Ernesto Santalla

Touchstone Gallery Presents Off-Kilter, Paintings by Leslie Nolan

Last year, the amazing Touchstone Gallery relocated to a space along our southern border in 901 New York Avenue, NW (Acadiana is in the same building).  Their new home has a sidewalk-level entrance facing the old convention center site, and the interior is gorgeous. 

Touchstone's current show is called Off-Kilter and features paintings by Leslie Nolan.  The show runs through January 30.  If you've not yet checked out their great new space, this Friday (January 14) from 6 to 8:30 is your chance.  At that time, Touchstone is hosting a reception for the show, with a wine tasting (courtesy of Bistro Blanc) and live music!  From the press release:

Leslie Nolan's color drenched figurative paintings capture the uncertainties of our world. OFF-KILTER, Nolan's solo exhibit at the newly reopened Touchstone Gallery, conveys the emotional intensity shared by its subjects.

There is nothing tentative about these paintings: Nolan's bold brush strokes and vivid colors create a blur between the real and the imagined, resulting in an impression of physical solidity threatened by emotional disintegration. These strong works convey a sense of society on the edge.

During studies abroad and a career with the State Department, Nolan lived and worked all over the world. The often uneasy situations experienced in exotic, sometimes unstable places subtly influence her work.

A Washington, DC region award-winning artist, Nolan has exhibited throughout the country and internationally. See images and her resume at:   http://www.leslienolan.com/. She is currently represented by Touchstone Gallery.

Touchstone Gallery
901 New York Avenue, NW
202.347.2787


Image Credit: Where Now # 4, Acrylic on canvas by Leslie M. Nolan

Tab: Shaw Business Directory

I just added another tab below the header of this site, which I labeled “Shaw Business Directory.”  It is very much a work in progress listing of Restaurants and Coffee Shops, Galleries, Bars/Clubs/Nightlife, Shopping/Services, and Coming Soon. I have provided photographs and summaries of some of my favorites in each category. I will add links, additional photographs, additional businesses, additional descriptions, and hopefully a map soon.  Please let me know of any omissions, errors or general suggestions.


Be on the lookout for new tabs in the coming weeks. If you have any suggestions on similar useful go-to resources, let me know.

Tab: Developments in Shaw

As part of my effort to make this site into a better Shaw-centric resource, please note that I just added a new tab above labeled “Developments in Shaw.”  In this tab, one can view brief descriptions, renderings and photos of significant (four plus unit or otherwise important) developments that are under construction, planned or have been completed since the establishment of this blog. 

Be on the lookout for new tabs in the coming weeks.  If you have any suggestions on similar useful go-to resources, let me know.

2011 Neighborhood Resolutions

If you're still contemplating resolutions for the new year, here are a few neighborhood-oriented ones to consider:

1. Pick up at least one piece of trash outside a day.

2. Volunteer in our neighborhood -- opportunities abound to suit a range of interests (pitch in at a school, the library, the Kennedy Recreation Center, or one of our many great non-profits, like Bread for the City).

3. Organize and/or participate in a neighborhood watch for your block.

4. Become a graffiti fighter. Buy paint now and be prepared to paint over tags as they appear to prevent chronic tagging.

5. Eat/Shop/Drink local. Our neighborhood small businesses represent significant investments in our community and help make us a unique destination in the city. Help them thrive by patronizing them and encouraging others to do the same

Any other suggestions?

One of my resolutions is to resume regular blogging and to make this site a better resource for and about the Shaw neighborhood.