Marion Street Garden Herb CSA and Farm Stand

I stopped off at the Marion Street Garden a few Sundays ago for their big workday volunteer event. I don't want to spoil my May article in MCDC (on stands Saturday, May 7), but I do want to give a brief shoutout to their youth run herb CSA (community supported aggriculture), mention their weekly farm stand, and share some extra photos of the awesome intergenerational community garden.

A new feature at the garden in 2011 is a youth-run herb CSA, the only youth-run CSA in the city. Every week, youth ages 12 to 14 will cultivate, harvest, market and demonstrate uses for the herbs in the garden. There are two available shares for purchase in this year's herb CSA -- contact the garden if you're interested in purchasing a share!

Also, the garden will have a "garden stand" every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., where they'll sell seedlings and surplus produce from the garden for anyone who wants to come by and support the space.

Unfortunately my photos are of the workday in progress -- things looked even better at the end of the day.  What a beautiful, green, great space in the center of our neighborhood where wonderful things are happening!

Marion Street Garden
1517 Marion Street, NW
443.854.1669

Recent Past: 2004 at The Exchange

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a gander at what's now known as The Exchange at Ninth and N Streets just seven years ago. The building was vacant, graffiti-ridden and in terrible shape at the time. 

Douglas Development began a major redevelopment of the property in 2005 that delivered in 2008.  The beautifully restored historic buildings and new construction behind contain the headquarters of Independence Bank and residential apartments.

It's hard to believe it's the same place, right?

New Casual Eatery by Tom Power Coming to Ninth

Tom Power, the genius behind Corduroy, will open a new, casual restaurant at 1124 Ninth Street (you may recall I've previously reported development plans for this property which never materialized).  The new restaurant will be directly next door to Corduroy and will be called Velour.  Washingtonian Best Bites has the scoop (thanks to neighbor Paul for pointing me to it).

This is SUCH great news!

CityMarket HUD Loan Approved by the Central Loan Committee

Yesterday there was progress on CityMarket at O's HUD financing, which is crucial to the project starting:  the Central Loan Committee approved the loan deal.  Congrats, Roadside!  There are still more things to happen before the loan closes, but it's a great step in the right direction. Read more at the CityMarket at O blog here. 

Mother's Day Brunch at 1905

1905 will offer a special fixed-price brunch on Sunday, May 8, 2011 to celebrate Mother's Day. At $25 per person (not including tax, tip, or beverages), it's a great deal, and the menu looks pretty fantastic:

First Course
Chilled strawberry soup
Greens salad with citron vinaigrette

Main Course
Chesapeake crabcakes with white cheddar and green onion grits, chow-chow relish, and daikon slaw

Berkshire roasted pork chop with roasted potato hash and green apple gravy

Baked egg strata with piquillo peppers, spinach, and mushrooms, baked with gruyère, parmesan, fennel seeds, and garlic (v)

Brioche and Brie French toast - rum laced and egg battered brioche French toast, baked with brie and topped with maple syrup and candy pecans (v)

Shared Sides
Homemade jalapeño-blueberry corn muffins with whipped butter
Pepper cured bacon

Drink Specials
Bottomless bloody marys $15
Bottomless mimosas $15

1905 has limited space and expects the reservations to fill up quickly, so please email or call the restaurant (202.332.1905) sooner rather than later if you would like to make a reservation.


1905 Restaurant
1905 Ninth Street, Northwest, 2nd Floor
202.332.1905

April MCDC Shaw Streets Column

If you haven't yet grabbed a copy of this month's MCDC, check out a PDF online version of my monthly Shaw column here. In it, I write about the Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting (in which A Divine Shine won first place for best new business of 2010), Seasonal Pantry coming to Ninth Street, and the Shaw Skatepark renovation.

Derby Day Party at Long View, Dress the Part

There will be no better place (other than Churchill Downs itself) to watch the Kentucky Derby on May 6 this year than our very own Long View Gallery. The gallery is going all out with a horse race themed party benefiting Pediatric Care, an organization helping children affected by AIDS.

From their announcement:

Join Long View Gallery for the "most exciting two minutes in sports" at the 2011 Kentucky Derby. If you can't make it to Louisville, make a visit to Shaw where the gallery will be transformed into Churchill Downs. We're expecting seersucker and big hats, with bottomless mint juleps all around. It will feel like we've packed the infield, with enough flat screens and projections to ensure a fabulous view of the ponies for everyone to enjoy!

While sipping and watching you will also be donating to children in need. Pediatric Care, an organization to help children affected and effected with HIV/AIDS, will be receiving your contributions.

P'ARTY with a big hat or your seersucker and enjoy an evening that will guarantee a tri-fecta of fun!

tickets are limited
catering provided by Ridgewells Caterers
audio/visual provided by John Farr Lighting
decor provided by Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
valet provided by Atlantic Valet

You can buy tickets here. It's $75 in advance at $100 at the door.

Long View Gallery
Derby Day P'Arty
May 6, 2011
1234 Ninth St, Washington, DC 20001
202.232.4788

Pizzoli's Opens on Twelfth

A new purveyor of pizza recently opened in the 1400 block of Twelfth Street, NW called Pizzoli's.  It's already gotten several glowing reviews on Yelp.  It appears to be carryout and delivery only. 

I am a sucker for pizza, so look forward to stopping off sometime soon to try what sounds to be like a great menu of pizzas and subs.

Pizzoli's
1418 Twelfth Street, NW
202.234.3333

Reminder: Happy Hour at The Passenger TONIGHT!!!

The time is nigh!  Grab friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family after work this afternoon and head to The Passenger (1021 Seventh Street, NW) for the first-ever Happy Hour Benefiting Shaw Main Streets! The event runs from 5 to 8 pm.

Hope to see you there!



Happy Hour Benefiting Shaw Main Streets
April 25, 2011, 5 to 8 pm
The Passenger, 1021 Seventh Street, NW
For more information, e-mail shawmainstreetsauction@gmail.com or call 202.265.SHAW

Bid! Hawaii, New York and RJ Are Calling Your Name!

There's still time left to submit an e-mail bid on the the three amazing auction items benefiting Shaw Main Streets!  You can read about the auction generally and about the Monday night happy hour here. 

Below are links to posts describing the three auction items.

1. A reservation for four at 8:30 on the grand opening night of Rogue 24 (value: priceless);

2. A one night stay in an Ocean View Room at EDITION hotel in Waikiki (value: ~$475); and

3. A one night stay in the brand new SoHo Courtyard by Marriott (value: ~$320+).

E-mail your bids to shawmainstreetsauction@gmail.com before noon on Monday (include in your e-mail -mail me a) your name, b) your contact information (phone), c) what item you’re bidding on, and d) the dollar value of your bid).  I will accept final bids in person at the Happy Hour next Monday as well. We will announce the winner at 7:30 p.m. You don’t have to be present for your bid to win, but you might get out-bid.
 
As of Friday, April 22 at 1:22 p.m., the Rogue 24 auction item has a bid of $150 and the SoHo Courtyard by Marriott auction item has a bid of $100.  Check the comments of the posts describing each item for the most current bid.  GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Neighborhood In Bloom

The tulips we planted on Ninth Street in 2009 and in 2010 are in bloom and look fantastic!

Recent Past: 2004 at 1512 Eighth

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a look at 1512 Eighth Street just seven years ago.  The building was vacant and in terrible shape at the time. You might recall that I posted about reporting this property as vacant back in 2007, which prompted many of you to do the same.

The property sold in 2008 and has since undergone a massive renovation. Occupied again, it looks beautiful today.

Happy Birthday, Dodge City

The loud, cool, dark, and fun bar Dodge City turns one today (April 20).  They open at 5 p.m. and will have DJs on both floors, with no cover charge.  In celebrating the milestone, they'll have free grilled burgers and veggie burgers and $2 Pilsener Ace from 5 to 8, and $4 Dales and $5 Shots of Titos all night.

Happy Birthday!

Dodge City
917 U Street, Northwest
202.588.9080

Civilian Art Projects Presents Terri Weifenbach and Trevor Young

Two new shows open at Civilian Art Projects this Friday (April 22) with a reception from 7-9 pm. The shows will be on view until June 4.

From the press release:

Civilian Art Projects is pleased to present two solo exhibitions: Woods II, new work by photographer Terri Weifenbach, and "Thrust," new painting by Trevor Young.

Terri Weifenbach

Woods II

Terri Weifenbach's second solo exhibition with the gallery continues the Woods project with twenty-one large and small scale images from within the autumn and winter woods of the DC metro area.

Before she picked up her Leica camera 33 years ago, Weifenbach was first trained as a painter. According to the artist, she has always been drawn to the layering of surface and the sumptuous accumulation of material found in painting.

On occasion, she has contemplated Cecily Brown's brushstroke with deep understanding and curiosity. It is no surprise, then, that Weifenbach's photographic work embraces the tactile nature of non-photographic mediums. She understands the limits of photographic technology and, through focus, metering, depth of field, vantage point, film selection, printing strategies, and other more intuitive decisions, plays with and pushes them.

She is, in short, a master of her craft; and her selection of what may seem a familiar scene of a walk in the woods is transformed through her skill into a deeper examination of space, palette, and the growth and morphing of nature. These are not accidental shots.

Just as a painter cannot make a single brushstroke and call the work complete, Weifenbach cannot click a shutter and call it a photograph. Photographic projects of this nature take months, years; perhaps even a lifetime. One image lends weight and strength to the next, but each must be able to hold it's own as a work of art.

Trevor Young

Thrust

Civilian Art Projects is pleased to announce Thrust, new paintings by Trevor Young, his second solo exhibition with the gallery. Thrust is an installation of three paintings by Young inspired by airports, continuing his research of the French anthropologist Marc Augé coined term "non-places." Non-places are spaces that we use or pass through, on the way to other places, but to which no one really belongs. They are not often places of real comfort and exchange.

Young is drawn to places such as glowing gas stations, complex highway overpasses, lonely cash machines, and airports including the runway and the plane itself. These new large-scale paintings consider the way humans interconnect and assign meaning. Young sees these non-places as providing comfort and beauty through their familiarity and transience, commenting on our continual evolution and movement to and away from intimate connection and communication. No longer is the non-place something to pass through, or something lonely, it is something to behold.

The subject matter is enthralling to the artist, considered into paintings depicting strength, vigor, and an almost a spiritual worship of the built world. But it is the nature of his medium that brings him to paint non-places. According to Young, "painting is an awkward medium that shows the human hand and imagination. It is the challenge of painting that brings me to paint these concrete roads and shiny surfaces. I am interested in making these lonely places fill with atmosphere. To that end, I rework an area over and over to create the space and the surface. And then I go back into the painting, many times, to develop the mystery and wonder."

Civilian Art Projects
1019 Seventh Street NW, Second Floor
202.607.3804

Old City Green Blossoms at Ninth and N

This past Sunday I stopped off at Old City Green and was blown away by the selection of plants and all-things-garden-y that they have in stock right now.  It definitely inspired me to work in the yard on the beautiful spring day.

In addition to being a lush oasis in the heart of Shaw, Old City Green is a truly great neighbor. Owner Frank Asher and his team have donated time and resources to countless community events and hosted a slew of their own really cool neighbor gatherings.  Case and point, this coming Sunday (April 24, Easter), the garden center will host its SECOND ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT! The event is open to children aged toddler to 13 and will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. and again from 12 to 1 p.m.

Here are a few photos I snapped while I browsed their flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, veggies, and various containers this past weekend:

Old City Green is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.


Old City Green
Corner of Ninth and N Streets, Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
202.412.2489

Happy Hour and Auction Benefiting Shaw Main Streets

As you know, next Monday (April 25, 2011) there is a happy hour benefitting Shaw Main Streets at The Passenger from 5 until 8 p.m. (check out the Facebook Event Page here).   The Passenger will generously donating ten percent of its proceeds during the happy hour to our great economic revitalization nonprofit.

As an additional enticement to attend, I’m happy to announce that three AWESOME items will be awarded to the highest bidder at next week’s Happy Hour. The items will each receive their own individual posts here on renewshaw.com describing them in full; you can link to the posts below.

Logistically, here’s how the auction will work:  From now until next Monday at noon (eastern standard time), I will accept e-mailed bids at shawmainstreetsauction@gmail.com.  Just e-mail me a) your name, b) your contact information (phone), c) what item you’re bidding on, and d) the dollar value of your bid. I will post the current bid for each item in the respective comment sections of the posts describing the items. I will accept final bids in person at the Happy Hour next Monday as well. We will announce the winner at 7:30 p.m. You don’t have to be present for your bid to win, but you might get out-bid.

Here are the items to be auctioned:

1. A reservation for four at 8:30 on the grand opening night of Rogue 24 (value: priceless);
2. A one night stay at EDITION hotel in Waikiki (value: ~$400+); and
3. A one night stay in the brand new SoHo Courtyard by Marriott (value: ~$320+).

E-mail your bids for any of the above items to shawmainstreetsauction@gmail.com in the coming days, and I look forward to seeing you at next Monday's happy hour! 

GOOD LUCK!!!

SMS Auction Item: One Night at EDITION Waikiki

Looking for a luxurious escape from the East Coast? Waikiki is calling your name! Marriott has generously donated a one night stay in an Ovean View Room at EDITION Waikiki for Shaw Main Streets to auction off (value is ~$475).

EDITION is Marriott International’s new hotel brand conceived by Ian Schrager. It combines the personal, intimate, individualized and unique lodging experience that Ian Schrager is known for, with the global reach, operational expertise and scale of Marriott.

The Waikiki EDITION is gorgeous new hotel that would make an amazing escape from East Coast stresses. From the hotel's website:

The Waikiki EDITION is a stunning new Urban Resort conceived by Ian Schrager in a partnership with Marriott International. Luxe, yet simple and modern, The Waikiki EDITION hotel is a game-changer for the lifestyle luxury hotel experience combining for the very first time not only great design and true innovation, but also great, personal, friendly, modern service as well as outstanding, one-of-a-kind food, beverage and entertainment offerings..."all under one roof".

This highly stylized hotel will function as a "home away from home" for leisure and business travelers. In addition, it will also cater to the modern day business traveler by offering functional, technologically sophisticated working environments with the comfort and ease of actually conducting business in an "office away from the office".

The visionary reach of Ian Schrager— creator of the original boutique hotel—together with the global reach, operational expertise and scale of Marriott delivers in a delicate balancing act, the best of both worlds: polish with personality, perfectionism with individualism and comfort with charisma and charm.

Conceived in collaboration with architects George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg and landscape designer Deborah Nevins, The Waikiki EDITION is set in its own private oasis within walking distance to Waikiki’s celebrated surfer’s beach, marina and world-class shopping district.

The hotel will offer a restaurant by world renowned chef, Morimoto; the exclusive Crazybox; a unique Sunrise Pool with lushly landscaped gardens by Deborah Nevins; an exclusive Private Sunset Beach with it's own lagoon and imported sand from neighboring Hawaiian islands, providing the same experience as lying on a beach; an intimate Lobby Bar hidden behind a secret passage as if tucked away in a castle; a pool bar at Sunrise Pool and a bar at the Private Sunset Beach both under the sun and stars with spectacular views of the Yacht Harbor and Pacific Ocean; custom and individually designed Surf and Bikini Boot Camps, the first of their kind, for the ultimate in physical fitness, dramatic weight loss and loss of inches together with custom vegetarian and organic spa menus. Coupled with a full service spa will offer guests the unique opportunity to actually go on vacation and come home looking better, feeling healthier and pounds lighter!; the largest luxury ballroom on Oahu for weddings and special events; an outdoor movie theater under the stars, akin to a drive-in theater without the cars, offering first run movies, video and art installations; EDITION retail shop, complimentary high-speed wireless internet and much more. Once entering this Urban Resort with its own unique separate intense reality that offers the best of Waikiki, there will be no need to leave the hotel for anything including dining, relaxing or entertainment.

Sounds amazing, right?!

Minimum bid is $100. There are no date restrictions on when it can be redeemed.  Expires April 23, 2012.

To bid on a one night stay at the EDITION Waikiki, either e-mail your bid to shawmainstreetsauction@gmail.com (check the comments of this post for the most current bid) or attend the Happy Hour Benefiting Shaw Main Streets at The Passenger on April 25 starting at 5. Bids will be accepted in person at the happy hour, but you need not be present to win (although you might be outbid). The winning bid will be named at 7:30.

SMS Auction Item: Opening Night Dinner Reservation for Four at Rogue 24

Rogue 24 is the most anticipated restaurant opening in Washington – if not the United States -- this year. And it’s in our neighborhood! Scoring a reservation on its grand opening night will be near impossible, and the inaugural dinner service will likely be attended by a who’s who of culinary enthusiasts.

Chef R.J. Cooper has generously set aside a table for four at the prime time of 8:30 on opening night for Shaw Main Streets to auction off. The exact opening date is under wraps, but I’ll hint that it’s slated to be on a weekend night and it's not too far off.

This auction is just for the opening night reservation for four at 8:30. The lucky winner(s) will be responsible for the cost of their meal, drinks and gratuity at the restaurant.

To bid on a reservation for a table for four at 8:30 on opening night of Rogue 24, either e-mail your bid to shawmainstreetsauction@gmail.com (check the comments of this post for the most current bid) or attend the Happy Hour Benefiting Shaw Main Streets at The Passenger on April 25 starting at 5. Bids will be accepted in person at the happy hour, but you need not be present to win (although you might be outbid). The winning bid will be named at 7:30.

SMS Auction Item: One Night at the SoHo Courtyard by Marriott

Looking to escape to New York for a weekend of shopping, shows, museums, and nightlife? Marriott has generously donated a one night stay at the brand new, primely located SoHo Courtyard by Marriott in New York City.

From the hotel’s website:

The new state-of-the-art Courtyard New York Manhattan/SoHo hotel provides greater flexibility and choices for our guests. Our downtown Manhattan hotel lobby features inviting, flexible spaces to work or relax in, free Wi-Fi and easy access to the latest news, weather and airport info via our GoBoard. The highlight of our NYC hotel lobby is Table 181 SoHo, which provides guests with healthy food & beverages in the morning & evening light fare with beer and wine. Our modern guest rooms feature plush bedding, free hi-speed Internet and some offer views of the Statue of Liberty and NYC skyline. This SoHo hotel near Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Chinatown and Canal Street is also just 10 miles from LaGuardia Airport and 12 miles from Newark Airport. We offer a well equipped fitness center, a 24-hour business center and boarding pass printing area. Houston St. and Spring St. metro stations access is also nearby. Your stay at Courtyard SoHo NY hotel will be comfortable, productive and enjoyable.

There are no date restrictions on when it can be redeemed.  Expires April 14, 2012.

To bid on a one night stay at the SoHo Courtyard by Marriott in New York City, either e-mail your bid to shawmainstreetsauction@gmail.com (check the comments of this post for the most current bid) or attend the Happy Hour Benefiting Shaw Main Streets at The Passenger on April 25 starting at 5. Bids will be accepted in person at the happy hour, but you need not be present to win (although you might be outbid). The winning bid will be named at 7:30.

New CityMarket at O Renderings

On Friday, Roadside uploaded some new renderings of CityMarket at O to its blog.  Check em out here!

Recent Past: 2004 at 1232 and 1234 Ninth

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a look at 1230, 1232 and 1234 Ninth Street just seven years ago, at which time all visible buildings were apparently vacant:

Now, Wagtime occupies the center building, 1232 Ninth.  Wagtime completed a significant and gorgeous renovation in 2009.  Long View Gallery occupies most of the the building seen on the right, 1234 Ninth.  Long View relocated to this former auto showroom after completing a significant build out and renovation in 2009.  An Italian restaurant will occupy the building seen on the left, 1230 Ninth.  The restaurant is in the middle of renovations and has ABRA placards posted.

Pretty great contrasts, right?

Tenth Street Park Grand Opening Celebration Sunday

Back in 2009 I first wrote about an effort by a group of neighbors to turn an underutilized city parcel into a community park (the process actually began in 2008).  With the help of Mayor Fenty, Councilman Evans and countless others, their vision is now a reality, and a gorgeous green space is ready to be enjoyed. 

To celebrate the park's grand opening, the Friends of the Tenth Street Park are hosting an event this Sunday, April 17th.*  The grand opening event will start at noon and will feature an egg hunt, egg roll, light refreshments and a visit by a special bunny guest! 

For more information, check out the Friends of Tenth Street Park website.

Grand Opening Celebration of the Tenth Street Park
Sunday, April 17, 2011
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Tenth Street Community Park
10th Street, NW
(between L and M Streets)


*NOTE -- this was previously scheduled for tomorrow but has been pushed back a day because of tomorrow's forecast.

Recent Past: 2004 at 1555 Ninth

The District has a really neat online tool for finding out basic information on properties called the Property Information Verification System. One of its features with which I have recently become obsessed – and that I fear will likely be updated soon – is the ability to view a photograph  taken in 2004 of any given property. I’ve downloaded a handful of pictures of Shaw area properties from 2004 and, in the coming days/weeks, will upload them, along with photos of the current conditions of the properties.  Some provide pretty stark contrasts in just seven years' time.

Across the board, one interesting thing to note is that the public spaces photographed are exponentially better cared for today.  In 2004, many treeboxes are ovegrown with weeds (jungles, really).  Also, it's clear that there has been a lot of investment in the area in the past seven years -- I see a lot of vacant buildings in the 2004 photographs that are now rehabilitated and occupied. 

Here’s a before and after photo of 1555 Ninth Street. Notice in particular the unkempt treebox in 2004.  The two buildings pictured were both demolished not too long after this photograph was taken because of a development-gone-wrong that lead to their collapse.  I believe the one on the right was occupied at the time of the construction incident (thankfully no one was hurt) and the one on the left had been vacant for a while.

And here is 1555 Ninth today: a Christian Zapatka designed, four unit new construction building that delivered in 2009:

I should have waited for the cars to pass in taking the shot, but take my word for it the treebox looks great now… dozens of tulips are about to bloom, it’s been recently mulched, and it has an iron treebox guard.

Keep Shaw Beautiful Day This Saturday

Photo Credit:  Rob Goodspeed

This Saturday (April 16) commencing at 9 a.m. at Old City Green is the annual Shaw Main Streets Keep Shaw Beautiful Day.  This year, we will scrub away graffiti around the neighborhood, focusing significantly on the tags on utility poles. Shaw Main Streets will supply some cleaning materials, and there will be refreshments at Old City Green (thanks to OCG's beloved Frank Asher for organizing the refreshments!).  All you need to bring is gloves and some scrubbing stamina.


Keep Shaw Beautiful Day 2011
Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. until noon
Meet at Old City Green

ReadysetDC Presents Fashion:District at Long View

This Thursday (April 14) from 7 to 11 p.m., ReadysetDC will host a charitable and fashionable fundraiser called fashion:district at Long View Gallery. From the press release:

ReadysetDC is proud to announce fashion:district Spring/Summer 2011. After two successful shows, ReadysetDC presents the third installment to be held on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 at Long View Gallery in Washington, DC. The evening will include a full-length runway show, pop-up shopsand musical performances.

This season’s runway show and pop-up shop participants include; ARTAYA, Clockwise Clothing, Derringer Friday, DURKL, Ginger Root Design, Hugh & Crye and SAINTCHiC.

ReadysetDC’s fashion:district is a celebration of style, design and entrepreneurship in the District of Columbia. Created in 2010, fashion:district aims to put a spotlight on influential and innovative designers and local boutiques. In doing so, fashion:district represents the astounding diversity of Washington, DC style. fashion:district exists to promote these creative people in Washington, D.C. and ensure the future of such ambition by supporting local business.

Doors open at 7 PM, show begins at 9 PM.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite and at ReadysetDC. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Space is limited and each and every fashion:district has sold out, so we suggest getting your tickets right away.

Fashion:District
Thursday, April 14, 7 to 9 p.m.
Long View Gallery
1234 9th Street, NW

Metro Issues Florida Avenue RFP.... Again

The Washington Business Journal has the scoop on Metro's decision to issue a new RFP for the sale of its Florida Avenue Parcels (on the south side of Florida Avenue between Seventh and Ninth).  Here is a link to a PDF of the RFP, which was issued yesterday.

D.C. Music Salon on Duke Ellington April 20

On Wednesday, April 20th, from 7 to 9 pm, the DC Music Salon will gather at the Watha T. Daniel Shaw Neighborhood Library for a night of Duke Ellington enlightenment.  Ellington is one of the greatest composers and most important band leaders the world has ever known, and he lived, loved and learned in our neighborhood!
  
The group will show PBS's documentary "Duke Ellington's Washington," and filmmaker Hedrick Smith will be on hand to discuss the film.  Ellington scholar John Edward Hasse, author of the Ellington biography "Beyond Category" and Smithsonian curator will also be on hand for the discussion.

DC Music Salon is a free film and book series about different topics related to music, featuring discussions with expert guests.  They show films and have discussions with musicians, filmmakers, authors and other fellow music lovers. These aren’t lectures, and all are welcome to join the conversation. Most meetings start with a quick introduction of a guest or topic, then show appropriate footage; they may discuss a relevant book and likely ask questions of the expert guests.  Washington, D.C. --  especially the Shaw neighborhood -- has a musical heritage second to none, and the DC Music Salon celebrates it. 

All are encouraged to attend the gatherings.  The group usually meets the second Tuesday of even months, from 7 to 9 p.m. the library.  Previous programs covered topics including Go Go, Howard Theatre and Nightclub 9:30.

Carnegie Library Could Be Visitors Center

The Washington Post has the details on the Washington Convention and Sports Authority's negotiations with the city and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., to open a visitors center in the gorgeous and historic library across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  I think this could be an excellent use for the building and a great start to enlivening the square.

Lamont Bishop Presents The Polaroid Retrospective II

The fantastic new Lamont Bishop Gallery celebrates its new show with an opening reception tomorrow night (Saturday, April 9) from 7 to 11 p.m. The show, called The Polaroid Retrospective II, will run through April 30.

From the press release:

“The Polaroid Retrospective” is an on-going exhibit dedicated to the world of Polaroid and instant film photography that utilizes both traditional and non-traditional gallery spaces. All images used in our exhibits were taken with retro instant-film cameras of different styles.

Current artists included in the exhibit are Kim Oberski, Angela Kleis, Ryan Kibler, Joshua Yospyn, Dan Murano, Guiseppe Molinario, Justin Violini, Ada Rose Bitterbaum, Sarah Stierch, Konstantinos Kissas, Duncan Ris, Ramune Rastonis, Jodi McKee, Azuree Wiitala, Aya Sato, Maria Bryk, Justin John, Lisa McCarty, Eric Wayne, Rachel Carrier, Gail Vollrath, Jillian Pichocki, Candice Welsh, Alan Campbell, Karima Selehdar, Sergio Herrera, Jati, Glenann Godden and Eric Kemp.

Curated by Victoria Milko

Remember to check out the renewshaw.com calendar for cool events like gallery openings and artists talks (speaking of, there are two artist talks this weekend -- one at Civilian Art Projects on Saturday and one at Touchstone on Sunday!), happy hours, activities at the library, meetings, and all sorts of fun neighborhood happenings.

Lamont Bishop Gallery
1314 Ninth Street, Northwest
info@lamontbishop.com

Civilian Art Projects Hosts Artist Talk Saturday

Civilian Art Projects will host a talk with Baltimore-based artist Seth Adelsberger this Saturday (April 9) at 4pm. Adelsberger will discuss his exhibition, "Bordering on Painting" currently on view at the gallery.

Artist talks are the best way to dialogue one on one with the artist and learn more about technique, ideas, and opinions on art and artmaking.

Civilian Art Projects
1019 Seventh Street NW, Second Floor
202.607.3804

Historic Districts In/Around Shaw

Some very close friends of mine are looking for a new place to call home in or around the Shaw area. They seek something that they can really make their own, and they don't want to have to be subject to the restrictions placed on properties in historic districts.

I've always known there are several historic districts in and around the Shaw area, but haven't really taken note of where one starts and another begins.  Using the Historic Preservation Office's online catalogue of PDFs of historic district maps as a guide, I made the following mashup showing historic districts in the area (lawyery note -- don't rely on this map for determining whether a specific property lies in or out of a district; it's meant only to give a rough idea of where the districts boundaries are).  Interestingly, it appears that the Logan Circle Histroric District and the Blagden Alley/Naylor Court Historic District are located within larger districts.

View Historic Districts In/Around Shaw in a larger map

I totally understand my friends' desire to live outside of a historic district, especially given the fact that one is a super talented and creative architect.  I also know that many people think historic district restrictions are sometimes enforced inconsistently, are subjective or stifle investment/development.

That said, I actually love living in a historic district. I think overall the effect is to ensure quality and beauty (and to avoid monstrosities like this!).

Spotted: Project Sign at Eighth and P

This weekend, I spotted a sign at the northeast corner of Eighth and P -- currently a surface parking lot that's part of Metropolitan Development's Kelsey Gardens/Addison Square assemblage -- advertising a "Future Project of Capital City Real Estate" at that corner.  Capital City Real Estate's website does not mention this upcoming project, but shows a portfolio of very well executed developments (like this one at Fifteenth and Swann). 

I've circled the Eighth and P component of Metropolitan Development's plan

Metropolitan Development planned for this lot to include townhouse styled condominiums. According to an InTowner article from 2008, "According to Historic Preservation Office (HPO) staff reviewer Steve Callcott’s report and recommendation, 'These row houses would be three-stories above partially-raised English basements and traditionally styled in variations of vernacular Victorian row houses with brick façades, projecting bays, bracketed cornices, and elongated windows and doors capped with precast or brick lintels.'”

I have been unable to find any details about Capital City Real Estate's involvement with the corner parcel. If I had to guess, I'd say they've partnered with Metropolitan Development or bought off this portion of the Kelsey Gardens project and intend to execute the approved plans. Of course, they might intend to start over and develop another beautiful Capital City Real Estate project on this prime piece of land directly across from the upcoming CityMarket at O.  Whatever the future holds, I'm excited that this corner seems to be inching toward being occupied again!  I'll be sure to report on anything I learn.

Save the Date: SMS Happy Hour at The Passenger

On Monday, April 25 from 5 to 8, The Passenger will donate ten percent of its proceeds to local economic revitalization group Shaw Main Streets (note regarding that link: a new Shaw Main Streets website is coming soon).  It should be a great opportunity to mingle with neighbors and business owners, to enjoy the amazing concoctions The Passenger's mixologists are known for, and to help Shaw Main Streets carry out its mission of improving the neighborhood via the proceeds from your bar tab.  Plus, haven't you been looking for an excuse to drink a lot on a Monday night?!

So save the date and plan to have a great time later this month!


Happy Hour Benefiting Shaw Main Streets
April 25, 2011, 5 to 8 pm
The Passenger, 1021 Seventh Street, NW
For more information, e-mail shawmainstreetsinc@gmail.com or call 202.265.SHAW



Full disclosure -- I'm a Shaw Main Streets board member and am helping organize this event. 

Touchstone Presents Grasses and Nests with a Twist

Two new shows open tonight (April 1) at Touchstone Gallery with a reception from 6 to 8:30. One show is entitled Grasses and features works by Mary D. Ott; the other show is entitled Nests with a Twist and features works by Janet Wheeler. Both shows run through May 1, and there will be an artist talk, coffee and cake for both on Sunday April 10, from 2-4 pm.

From the Grasses press release:

Wide Grass by Mary D. Ott

This exhibit of original hand-pulled prints—etchings, screenprints, monotypes, and mixed-media prints—comprises diverse images with grasses as their theme. Ott’s etching "Wide Grass" is seen in a number of variations, including single images, multiple images, and combinations of a number of prints in hanging cascades. The etching "Grass Bouquet" is combined with screenprinting to create mixed-media prints. Monotypes (one-of-a-kind prints) that are part of Ott’s series ―Bouquet of Grasses are displayed in an array that highlights their bright and contrasting colors. The prints are all variations on the theme of grasses.

From the Nests with a Twist press release:

Nest XIII by Janet Wheeler

Nature's endless cycle of renewal depicted through these Nests… With a Twist!

The pieces in this new series of nests absolutely do not evoke a reaction of "awww what a cute little nest." There is clearly something "off" about each one of them. Eggs and bones do not suggest a cozy breakfast! And why is there an uber-egg sitting atop a box of smaller eggs? These are the
newest works in Janet Wheeler s ongoing Spirit Box series.

Wheeler's spirit boxes induce an assumption of something sacramental and ritual, of objects untroubled by time, relics of some long vanished civilization. As nature always plays a major role in cultures, from the earliest to the present with the images of animals and birds in almost every sacred object, so too in Wheeler's pantheon.

In this body of work she focuses on nature's endless cycle of renewal
through her mysterious and ambiguous nests.

Touchstone Gallery
901 New York Avenue, NW
202.347.2787