Urban Turf Profiles Shaw

Check it out here.  

Community Safety Walk Thursday

ANC2C04 Commissioner Rachelle Nigro is hosting another Community Safety Walk this thursday (June 30). Meet in front of the Miles Memorial CME Church at 5th and N Streets, NW. The walk affords the opportunity to meet neighbors and take a stand against crime. The final stop will be a soft opening at Shaw’s Tavern at 520 Florida Ave NW for some neighborly fun. All ANC 2C residents are encouraged to attend!

If you have questions or comments, contact the commissioner at 202.670.1732, nigroanc2c@gmail.com, facebook.com/votenigro, or on Twitter at @nigroanc2c.


Community Safety Walk
Thursday, June 30, 6:30 PM
Meet at the corner of 5th and N Streets, NW

1600 Eighth Renovation Nears Completion

1600 Eighth Street, which was purchased from Shiloh Baptist Church back in 2009 after having sat vacant for decades, is in the final stretch of a massive renovation, and it looks awesome. I love everything I see: the copper gutters and roof trim, the new bay, the paint scheme, the new doors and windows, and the cleaned and re-pointed brick. I haven’t been able to find any information about the project online, but word on the street is that two or three condominiums will be for sale soon.

Here are a couple photos I took this weekend.

And in case you forgot, here’s what the place used to look like back in March 2007 soon after I began blogging…

Week’s End Look Back

I’ve had another busy workweek involving a bit of travel (thus the sorta sparse posting of late), so didn't really get out and about much in the neighborhood.  I did make it to Modern Liquors to buy a bottle of wine on Wednesday (did you know they deliver?!) and to Long View Gallery's opening last night (fantastic new show).  And, I made it to Wagtime on several occasions....

In order to ease life on the homefront, we’ve started taking our youngest/most-likely-to-eat-the-sofa-while-we’re-away dog to Wagtime. She absolutely loves it, and we love it too as she comes home exhausted as a result.

If you're unfamiliar, Wagtime is an all-star business in the neighborhood. Its newly renovated building is gorgeous and adds so much to the street, its store is packed with super cute pet accessories and supplies, it helps place animals needing homes, its daycare and grooming facilities are clean and bright, and its staff and owners are super friendly and love the pets they watch. And I could go on.

Anyway, here’s a look at Sadie, post-Wagtime.

Lamont Bishop Closing Reception for ChickenVille Tomorrow

Tomorrow night (June 24) from 6:30 to 10 pm, Lamont Bishop Gallery will host a closing reception for its current show of works by artist Brandon Hill called “ChickenVille.”

ChickenVille is heavily inspired by both his upbringing and experiences, gathering ideas of family, culture and place. ChickenVille, as described by the artist, is a place defined as a jubilant mixture of Americana, technical proficiency of craft and ideas of pop-culture, sci-fi, lore and legend, all meeting on the same plateau.“The Babychicken” Hill's work reflects his unique perspective of both the serious and trivial nature of objects and concepts that we humans interact with. ChickenVille contains a robust collection of Hill's interpretation of deck art, 2-dimensional works, sculpture, and light installation. His Baltimore heritage is a reoccurring topic in his work, and the individual topics range from boxer Max Schmeling to fictional character Robocop. Technical execution with his material use brings to life this range of concepts, using both traditional and modern methods of art-making. With great skill and attention to detail, Hill creates a very eclectic collection of works from early 2010 to present.

Lamont Bishop Gallery
1314 Ninth Street, NW

Long View Gallery Presents Creative Process

Tonight (June 23), Long View Gallery celebrates the opening of its latest show, “Creative Process,” with an opening reception from 6:30 to 8:30. The show features four artists’ expressions through uniquely different mediums: from wood block printing to encaustics, monotypes and reverspectives, these artists are pushing the boundaries of their respective methods. The artists -- Patrick Hughes, Eve Stockton, Sondra Arkin and Natasha Karpinskaia—each approach their respective artistic spaces in ways not normally featured at Long View Gallery. The show will run through July 24.

From the press release:

Patrick Hughes' reverspective pieces shockingly spring to life on the wall. The works approach perspective in a unique manner, elevating these static paintings to what seem like moving pictures. Hughes succeeds in creating the illusion of movement in his hallways, canyons and walls through a unique method of painting the forward most sections of his three dimensional constructions as the shadows, and the furthest back sections as the light, hence reverspectives. His sleight of the hand is astounding, allowing the walls in his work to swivel and slide depending on the viewer's position.

Eve Stockton's multi-layered wood block prints represent a unique approach to a traditional process. Her studies in science and love of nature combine to create a contemporary and unexpected result. The scale of these works is mesmerizing, a true testament to her mastery of this art form.

Sondra N. Arkin explores encaustics, meticulously creating works with a sense of restraint in color but excess in scale. The application and subsequent burning away of shellac creates a extraordinary amber surface full of organic forms. Through a very labor intense process, Arkin succeeds in creating unique encaustic panels, outside of the traditional ideas of this medium.

Natasha Karpinskaia's command of color elevates her abstract monotype prints above the safe and expected. Anticipated norms are often challenged with vibrant hues of pinks, greens and blues while maintaining a sense of balance and beauty.

Long View Gallery
1234 Ninth Street, NW
202.232.4788

915 Rhode Island Avenue Overhaul Underway

Mari of InShaw reports that she spotted the beginning of the renovation of long-vacant and foreboding 915 Rhode Island Avenue yesterday. A while ago, I was able to get my hands on the attached rendering for the new façade planned for the building. 

According to this listing, the building has 9,600 square feet available for rent. Here’s the description:

Property is ideal as an office headquarters for either medical facility, clinic or nonprofit group. (zoning is R4) Built in 1959, this former Howard University Medical clinic has been gutted, remediated and permitted for immediate design and buildout for prospective tenant. Currently, building is three stories with elevator; approx. 3,200 square feet per floor. Can build an additional floor of 1900 square feet as a 'matter of right' for a total of 11,500 square feet.

Complete Development Team is in place. Owner will completely renovate the building exterior, with the architects design for new window fenestrations; extending the front entrance out to create a 3 story glass entry feature; a new landscaping feature for the front; improving paving on the alley side including an outdoor atrium over the natural light court between it and the neighboring building. Construction could be included within a 5 month schedule.

The building fronts on a major vehicular arterial into downtown Washington DC. Metro bus stop is less than 30 yards from the entrance; 3 rail stations are within easy walking distance. Parking available on site.

UPDATE: Her's a photo of the demolition/construction underway, submitted by reader RC.

Shaw Main Streets on Facebook

Shaw Main Streets, which has a new website in the works and is working on upping its e-presence, is now on facebook!  Like their page here to keep up with what's going on.

Good Food Coming Soon

A playful mural I spotted  yesterday at the site of Tom Power's future casual eatery at 1124 Ninth Street, NW.

Summer Changes at 1905

Summer has brought with it a few changes at 1905 worth noting. 

First, they recently rolled out a new summer menu. Chef Matthew added a few new appetizers and entrees that better fit the Summer heat, like his Chimichurri Chicken entree. Fortunately most of my favorite dishes remain on the menu, like 1905's lobster meatballs (yum).

Second, 1905 has started a new Thursday night special called Thursday Night Nines. Every Thursday night at the bar, Chef Matthew will be offering an assortment of small plates, each for $9.00. The dishes will not be from the menu, nor will they be the same every week, so every Thursday will be a surprise. Building off the huge success of Taco Tuesday ($3 lamb tacos, $4 Pilsener Ace beer, & $6 taco/Pilsener combos) and Burger Wednesday (1/2 price burgers), 1905 wanted to extend their offering of "Neighborhood Nights" so people can come by for quick, yummy, inexpensive treats on Thursday nights too!

Finally, 1905's on a jazz hiatus for the summer, so they will not be having their normal Thursday night live jazz during June, July, and August. Never fear, though -- they'll start back up the first week of September, with live jazz at 9 p.m. every Thursday.

1905
1905 Ninth Street, Northwest, 2nd Floor
202.332.1905

Washington Post Spotlight on “Mama Tutu” Belay

I have the pleasure of serving on the board of Shaw Main Streets with Tutu Belay, owner of Little Ethiopia Restaurant (1924 Ninth Street, NW) and the Ethiopian Yellow Pages.  In addition to being a truly lovely person, she is also a keen business woman.  Check out this great article from the Washington Post about her accomplishments.

Congrats, Tutu!

DC Music Salon Wednesday, June 15

Wednesday, June 15, from 7 to 9pm is the next meeting of the DC Music Salon. As you may recall, 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, DC, especially the Shaw neighborhood, has a musical heritage second to none and our salon celebrates it. All are encouraged to attend.

This month's music salon is about Joyce Bryant. "The black Marilyn Monroe," "The Bronze Blond Bombshell, "the Voice You'll Always Remember," Joyce Bryant was a singer/celebrity all of us would have known in the 1950's. With her sexy skintight gowns, metallic-silver hair, incredible voice and "pioneering stances against racial discrimination" it's shocking she's not better remembered. Joyce Bryant's story is a case-study of how popular culture's 'celebrity machine' shapes who we remember - and who we forget.” DC Music Salon will show excerpts from “JOYCE BRYANT: The Lost Diva” the first feature length documentary film about one of DC— and America's-- “most enigmatic entertainers.”

Jim Byers -- music critic, WPFW radio host -- will discuss his film and help answer other questions about Bryant: Why were her records banned? Who cut her from the Hollywood films she made? What forced her to give up her career? How did she reappear as a leading lady in the New York City Opera? Why don't more people know Joyce Bryant?!

Upcoming DC Music Salon programs include August 10 Ska Dance Craze and October 12 on dc space. Facebook is the best way to keep in touch with DC Music Salon.


DC Music Salon on Joyce Bryant
June 15, 7 to 9 p.m.
Watha T Daniel Shaw Neighborhood Library

Week's End Look Back

Homemade, fresh ice cream from Seasonal Pantry, which finally opened this week.  I think it's available for retail sale at the store, but I got mine via my ice cream club subscription.  This week's order included salted caramel ice cream and strawberry shortcake ice cream. Both were delicious, cold treats.

Last night we went to Dickson Wine Bar.  We enjoyed some sangria, bubbles, olives, and cheese.  It was the perfect end to a long day at work.

Shaw Pride

This weekend is the Capital Pride celebration in D.C. As evidenced by the rainbow flags adorning fences and buildings, Shaw area businesses will play a role in the event. Here are a few highlights:

Old City Green is pridefully decked out and will be part of the Capital Pride “Green Village.”  The Green Village is a new section at the Pride Festival with vendors that have a strong commitment to environmental consciousness as part of their organization’s core mission. This consolidation of green vendors aims to amplify their exposure to Festival attendees and raise public awareness of how to lead greener lives.

Nellie’s Sports Bar will have special Pride drag brunches Saturday and Sunday. Click here to learn more and to make reservations.

Town Dance Boutique will draw crowds all weekend, with Cazwell tonight and a pride party tomorrow night.

I'm sure there are others I'm leaving out.  Please let us know in the comments of Shaw Pride events.

Enjoy, be safe, stay cool, and be proud!

Annual Lower Ninth Street Open House Next Thursday

Next Thursday (June 16, 2011) from 6 to 8 PM, businesses on the 1100 through 1500 blocks of Ninth Street, NW, will open their doors and offer free samples of their food and beverages, and non-food businesses will offer refreshments, as they all celebrate the revitalization of the Shaw neighborhood's historic commercial corridors.

Pick up a free event passport at any participating business and collect six stamps from businesses in order to be entered in a drawing for prizes donated by the businesses.

A few highlights:

Don't miss newly opened Seasonal Pantry at 1314-1/2 Ninth Street, NW, where you can sample some of their deletectable local gourmet food items, including products available nowhere else.

Stop by Chatman's D'Vine Bakery and Cafe at 1239 Ninth Street, NW, for samples of their renowned sweet potato pie and award-winning cupcakes.

And visit outdoor garden center Old City Green at 902 N Street, NW, for some refreshing rosemary lemonade. The event takes place rain or shine. Sponsored by Shaw Main Streets.

For more information, call 202-265-SHAW or email shawmainstreetsinc@gmail.com.  Check out the event website here 

Shaw Main Streets Open House on Lower Ninth
Thursday, June 16, 2011
6 to 8 PM

Hit the Links: First Annual Shaw Main Streets Golf Classic

Monday, June 27 is the date of the First Annual Shaw Main Streets Golf Classic. The event is organized by local businessman and Shaw Main Streets board member Barry Lumsden of Lumsden Nationwide Insurance Agency (1525 Ninth Street, NW). It should provide a great break from the office and a fantastic opportunity to network and talk shop with local businesses, and would make for a great summer associate activity for law firms with interests in the Shaw area.

The event will be held at the beautiful Enterprise Golf Course (2802 Enterprise Road Mitchellville, MD 20721). Registration will be at 8:00 AM, driving range and putting green access is from 8 to 8:45 a.m., and a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

An entry fee of $110 covers your green fees, a cart, lunch, dinner and refreshments, as well as trophies for at an award presentation. Sponsorship opportunities exist as well ranging in price from $100 to $2,000, each with different perks.

For more information and to sign up, contact Barry R. Lumsden at 202-387-1160 or lumsdeb@nationwide.com.

All proceeds benefit the programs and services provided by Shaw Main Streets, Inc.

First Annual Shaw Main Streets Golf Classic
Monday, June 27, 2011 8 a.m.
Enterprise Golf Course
2802 Enterprise Road
Mitchellville, Maryland 20721

Civilian Art Projects Presents Dan Tague and Billy Friebele

This Friday (June 10, 2011) from 7 to 9 p.m., Civlian Art Projects will host an opening reception for its two new solo exhibitions, "The Kids Are Alright" by New Orleans-based Dan Tague and "New Loops" by Washington, DC-based artist Billy Friebele. The shows will be on view until July 23.

From the press releases:

"The Kids are Alright "
Dan Tague

New Orleanian Dan Tague is an artist and social justice advocate. Using a variety of media, techniques, and wordplay, Tague's work points to inadequacies in government policy toward education, environmental health, and financial reform. He incorporates dollar bills, screen prints, paintings, video, restored furniture, and propaganda poster art to create visual riddles and biting -- yet funny, and sometimes sad -- social commentary.

Installing artwork in a layout reminiscent of a classroom, Tague presents discrete works and editions including posters of U.S. Presidents distilled to facial hair; a Mobil oil sign screen-printed using oil from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill; deconstructed movie posters including the word "American"; and folded dollar bill pieces, some folded 100 times to create statements like "The Kids are Alright" (specially made for his show at Civilian) and "Lest we forget."

"New Loops"
Billy Friebele

For his first solo exhibition at Civilian, Billy Friebele will present three interrelated video projects; "Walking as Drawing," "Target Loop," and "Commute Loop" in the project space and The Entrance.

Exploring the spatial experience of contemporary culture, Friebele's works re-contextualize common notions of everyday public spaces and mundane routines. For "Commute Loop," the artist videotaped his lengthy daily commute to and from work for one year. Sections of the trek are sequenced into a time-lapse, looped, and mirrored on the wall, creating an endless journey of an all too familiar landscape. For "Target Loop," he attached a video camera and GPS unit to a shopping cart and traversed the aisles looking for a birthday present. For "Walking as Drawing," an on-going project the artist creates in varying locations, he invites participants to take a dérive walk within a contained space, and tracks their movements. He then color-codes and animates their paths to make a time-based collaborative drawing.

Civilian Art Projects
1019 7th Street NW
202.607.3804
Hours: Wed-Thur-Sat 1-6pm

Keeping up with Shaw's Tavern

I recently became a fan of Shaw's Tavern on Facebook (you can too here).  It's been fascinating to follow the establishment's progress toward  opening this summer, with photo updates of construction and comments from the owners.  Today, Shaw's Tavern released its Summer 2011 menu, which sounds pretty fantastic:

Shaw’s Tavern

DINNER

July 1st, 2011

BREAD
48 hour Bread Baked in Cast Iron

STARTERS
Corn and Leek Chowder with Sweet Potato Chips 6
Chilled Grilled Salmon with Onion Relish and Fresh Herbs 9
Bacon Salad with Hard Boiled Egg and Shallot Dressing 8
Ratatouille and Corncakes 7
Tapenade of Fennel, Green Olives, Capers and Golden Raisins on Green Lentils 7
Grilled Trout with Mustard Leek Cucumber Salad 9
French Fried Yukon Gold, Red Bliss and Russet Potatoes with Condiments (Rhubarb Ketchup, Beet Relish, and Cauliflower Mustard) 7

PIZZAS
Tomato Mozzarella (red) 11
Three Cheese and Onion (white) 11
Spinach Potato Olive Oil Pie (green) 11

Add Ons: Pepperoni, Sausage, Mozzarella, Greens, Anchovies, Olives, Ratatouille, Tapenade, Egg 2 each

PLATES
Three Meat Lasagna with Spinach Salad 15
Flat Iron Steak with Yorkshire Pudding, Carrots, Pea Shoots and Horseradish 16
Pork Chop, Pickled Cabbage with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans 18
Roasted Chicken with Basil Mash Potatoes and Roasted Kale 14
Rockfish with Black Rice, Collard Greens and Roasted Beets 18
Cheeseburger with Fries and Homemade Pickles 12
Scallop, Tomato, Mint and Barley Stew 19

SIDES
Sweet Potato Chips 5
Basil Mashed Potato 5
Roasted Greens 5
Pickled Cabbage 5
Roasted Beets 5
Carrots and Pea Shoots 5
Tomato Barley Stew 5
Black Rice 5

SWEETS
Vanilla Ice Cream and Rhubarb on Waffle 7
Chocolate Cupcake with Caramel Sauce and Sour Cream Ice 8
Almond Torte with Cherry Preserves and Coconut Ice 7
Biscotti, Shortbread and Chocolate Lace Cookie Plate 7
Coeur a la Crème with Strawberries 7

Shaw's Tavern's anticipated opening date is July 1, 2011. It should be a fantastic addition to the neighborhood!

Shaw's Tavern
520 Florida Avenue NW

Rent Me: 903-905 N Street, NW

The building that formerly housed The Space has sat empty and available for lease since the former establishment closed (from what I understand, The Space closed because of a variety of reasons, mostly attributed to The Space's management/ownership). I love the interior of the building, with its concrete floors and high ceilings, and the roofdeck is one of the best in the city (although The Space failed to operate the roof deck in a way that did not disturb nearby residential neighbors).

903-905 N Street is primely situated just off the intersection of Ninth and N near the convention center, the soon-to-open Rogue 24, Long View Gallery, and so forth. I always tell people about it who own cool businesses and are looking for locations in the area and encourage others to do the same.  Check out the listing for 903-905 N here.

I think it’d be a phenomenal restaurant with outdoor seating or art gallery/event venue. What do you think would be a good fit?

Touchstone Presents Nancy Novick and Janathel Shaw

Touchstone Gallery celebrates its latest exhibition with an opening reception tonight (Friday, June 3) from 6 to 8:30. The exhibition runs until June 26 and includes two shows: "A Fine Line" by Nancy Novick and "Grieving, Grooving and Growing" by Janathel Shaw. Below are the press releases regarding each show:

“A Fine Line”
Nancy Novick

Acrylic artist, Nancy Novick, presents a new body of work. Line integrates the paintings in this show especially in one large installation of multiple 5” x 5” canvases in a variety of reds. The lines in this piece seem to float and create movement.

The work begins with a single fine line then is built on mark making layering, editing, and finding balance. The artist engages one, then rewards them through careful consideration and thoughtful scrutiny. The paintings hint at the passage of time and the vastness of space, turning what appears to be random diversity into a quiet ordered beauty.

Nancy Novick has taught art in Georgia and in Japan for Overseas Dependent Schools. Her award winning work has been exhibited nationwide and is included in many private and corporate collections.

"Grieving, Grooving and Growing"
Janathel Shaw

Change requires sacrifice and flexibility. Change is the crucial ingredient in all three stages. This exhibit examines the stages of personal evolution as a mature individual. Janathel Shaw’s latest sculptures reveal a deep introspection, emotional gravitas, and heightened creative expression. She has experienced the loss of a job and the fear, shame and questioning of identity resulting in the loss. The loss of friends to cancer and heart attack has required her to limit their voices to echoes in her memories. Like many of her role models, she also learned the fine art of placing one foot in front of the other, strengthening her resolve and smiling through it all.

Grief represents the loss of love, of materials, excess baggage and unrealized expectations. Grooving is a state of mind and a lifestyle choice. It requires personal acceptance and an active pursuit of joy/peace when challenges seem insurmountable. Janathel’s path requires a spiritual outlook. The act of Growing is circular and continuous like a root. It is assumed that wisdom, also, is strengthened by age. In reality both require nourishment, warmth, watering and pruning. Otherwise, the end result is a muddied product resulting in death.

The body of work in this exhibit is personal, sometimes raw and expressive and layered. Although most of the work is inspired by private experiences, there are works that are born of larger universal concerns (natural disasters and the human condition and genocide or despots). For example, Solace was inspired by the current plight of Haitians. It centers on the loss of family, wavering hope and the indomitable spirit of a people.

Janathel Shaw’s ceramic sculptures have usually centered on universal and social themes. She has always been intrigued by provocative and historical scenarios regarding the human condition. Janathel has drawn from her experience as a parent and educator to enlighten her audience. An interesting marriage of clay, glazes and oil paints are used in this series. Emphasis is placed on form, surface and color.

She is a transplanted Floridian that was raised in Washington, DC. Her family held onto its small town sensibilities that included a strong belief in education, faith, a strong work ethic and community service. Janathel received a M.F.A. from George Washington University, B.S. from George Washington University and an A.A. from Prince George’s Community College.

This is her second solo show at Touchstone Gallery. She has shown at the Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, The National Museum of American Art, Washington, DC, Rock Creek Gallery, Washington, DC, Montpelier Arts Center, Laurel Maryland, and The Eclipse Gallery in Arlington, Virginia.

Touchstone Gallery
901 New York Avenue, NW
202.347.2787



Image credits: “Continuum” Diptych, Acrylic, 30” x 54" by Nancy Novick, and “Fulfillment” Ceramic stoneware and oils and glazes, by Janathel Shaw.

Buy Me: 1513 Eighth Street, NW

A few weeks ago, I went to an open house for 1513 Eighth Street, NW.  The newly renovated home really is a showplace.  The list price for the three bedroom, two and a half bath, luxuriously appointed home is $949,500.  From the listing:

ANOTHER FABULOUS RENOVATION BY NANTUCKET HOLDINGS. This stunning Victorian offers all the bells & whistles. Features spacious open floor plan, chefs kitchen w/ carrara marble, Electrolux Appls, custom pantry, designer marble baths, custom closets, high ceilings, parking w/ garage door system, surround sound, high ceilings gleaming new wood flrs, all new mechanicals and more.

Check out the listing, and photos, here.

ANC2C Meeting Tonight

Tonight (June 1) at 6:30 at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library
(1630 Seventh Street, NW) is the monthly ANC2C meeting. Below is the agenda:

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Approval of Agenda

3. PSA 308 Report: Lt. Jeffrey Carroll, Metropolitan Police Department

4. Impact of Ward Redistricting on ANC 2C

5. CityMarket at O, 1400 7th Street, NW: Request for Support of Minor Modification to Planned Unit Development

6. 509 Q Street, NW: Request for Support for Special Exception (BZA Case #18250)

7. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk, October 15, 2011: Request for Support for Street Closures

8. Department of Health Live Well DC! Ward Community Coaches: City-Wide “Keep It Moving DC” Campaign

9. Request for Proposals for ANC 2C Website, Branding, and Newsletter: Presentations by Responding Vendors

10. Other New Business

11. Old Business

12. Approval of Minutes of 05/04/11 Meeting

13. Approval of Expenses

14. Announcements

15. Adjournment

This meeting, and others, is on the calendar tab above. If you ever have an event or meeting you'd like me to post to the calendar, e-mail me at slumhistorique@ yahoo.com.