Vote For Shaw Businesses for Mission: Small Business

Chase and LivingSocial are going to award twelve small businesses individual grants of $250,000 to increase awareness of the important role small businesses play in local communities and to help small businesses grow.

An integral step to a business being considered for the grant is for them to receive at least 250 votes online by midnight tomorrow night (Saturday, June 30, 2012).  After clearing this hurdle, businesses will be selected for the grants by a panel.

I know of at least two small Shaw-area businesses in the running for consideration, and encourage you all to vote for both (you can vote for more than one business):  Beau Thai (a business that I'm an owner of) and Old City Green.  Please help these two businesses make the cut by taking just a minute of your time.

VOTING IS EASY!  Just click on this link (https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/), then click "log in and support," then type the business name you want to vote for ("Beau Thai" and "Old City Green"), and then cast your vote!

Shop Local Video Spotlight: Old City Green

Check out this cool video about our local garden center Old City Green, which was created for the "My Business Story" series.

And don't forget that Old City Green will be selling Christmas trees and holiday greenery starting Friday, November 25!

Old City Green

9th and N Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001
202.412.2489

Another Great Tulip Planting

This past Sunday's tulip planting was a big success -- the weather was gorgeous, the most-ambitious-planting-to-date was carried out to completion in the allotted time and, I think, everyone had a good time.  Thanks to all who helped fund the planting and to all of the volunteers who worked so hard weeding, digging, planting, and mulching.  And thanks to Frank Asher and the crew at Old City Green and to Alex Padro and Shaw Main Streets for helping organize and execute the project.  In all, we planted 1,600 tulips in 75 tree boxes on Ninth Street between N and Florida Avenue. 

Look forward to seeing Ninth Street in bloom in a few months and for years to come!

THIRD ANNUAL NINTH STREET TULIP PLANTING SPONSORS:

1905 Restaurant -- Bread for the City -- Convention Floral -- Frank Snodgrass -- Independence Federal Savings Bank -- Jordin's Paradise Dance & Fitness  -- Long View Gallery -- Old City Green -- Salem Baptist Church

Pumpkins at Old City Green



Frank Asher, Proprietor of Old City Green,
Shows Off Some of This Year's Bounty



Old City Green is our local purveyor of pumpkins.  Support a small neighborhood business and grab the perfect orange orb for your jackolantern or baking needs buy purchasing one there while supplies last!

Old City Green

902 N Street, NW (Corner of Ninth and N)



Third Annual Tulip Planting October 30

Mark  your calendar:  on Sunday, October 30 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. is the third annual tulip planting on Ninth Street.  We're hoping to have the biggest tulip planting event yet -- with a heavy emphasis on the treeboxes between Rhode Island Avenue and U Street. 

If you're interested in sponsoring a tree box for $55 (and getting a shoutout for the same on this blog and in other places for the same), e-mail shawmainstreets@gmail.com.

Third Annual Ninth Street Tulip Planting
October 30, 2011
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meet at Old City Green at Ninth and N

Tonight: Edible Urban Garden Tour and Community Potluck

Tonight (Friday, July 15) from 5 to 8 P.M. is the first-ever Edible Garden Tour. Home base for the self-guided tour is Old City Green, where you can enjoy cocktails and community potluck.

Tickets are $10 each, with a portion of the proceeds to support Eat Local First DC. RSVP on Facebook here.

From the press release about tonight's event:

Explore city spaces and residential gardens that will open their doors and gates for the public to see what growing good food in our own backyards, front yards, rooftops, and empty lots is all about. It’s a chance to ask questions, learn from and hear what inspires some of DC’s best gardeners.

The tour will start at the beautiful, plant-filled garden shop named Old City Green and stretch through the revitalized neighborhoods of ...Shaw, Bloomingdale and Ledroit Park. Plus, see for yourself and learn more about Common Good City Farm the community garden that Prince Charles recently toured as part of his inspiring Future of Food visit to DC. A map of tour locations will be distributed on the day of the event at Old City Green. The tour is self-guided and will cover several miles so a bike or a car is recommended.

By organizing this tour, we hope to support the "grow your own" movement and create a community event designed to be a resource for so many local residents interested in finding ways to grow their own food.

Edible Urban Garden Tour
Friday July 14, 5 to 8 P.M.
Old City Green

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!

On the Calendar: Third Annual Whole Hog Roast at Old City Green

On June 11 starting at 6 pm, Old City Green will throw its third annual Whole Hog Roast! Schuyler Cunningham of Cunningham Farms will be roasting a 100 lb hog and dishing up pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, loin, cheeks and maybe even the brian and tongue for those who are adventurous. Cover and smother that with some amazing additions by Seasonal Pantry and you'll have a feast in the company of good friends.

Other entrees, cheeses, and delicious sides and beverages will be provided. Come around 5 pm if you want to help pull the pig. All are welcome, including children and pets.

Cost is $20 for all you can eat and drink until it is all gone.

Third Annual Whole Hog Roast (facebook event page)
Old City Green
902 N Street, NW

Video Spotlight on Old City Green

Check out this great video about our neighborhood garden center Old City Green and its owner Frank Asher. The video's producer writes, "In all the alleys, row houses and hustle and bustle of Washington DC lies and urban oasis, tucked into the corner of Shaw. OLD CITY green gives Washingtonians an escape from the urban city and provides a complete emulsion of nature. Frank Asher the owner talks more about the mission and place OLD CITY green takes in the neighborhood of Shaw."

Urban Oasis from Russ Schubert on Vimeo.

I bought some planters and some plants (veggies, herbs and shrubs) at Old City Green this past weekend.  While there, I was reminded of one of the many benefits of shopping local:  business owners know you!  When Frank spotted me with the planters I purchased, he said "I knew you'd like those!"


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

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

Join the Lancaster Fresh Farms CSA

Last year, Lancaster Fresh Farms designated Old City Green as a drop off point for its CSA (the term "CSA" stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It's a great way to get an abundance of vegetables for a season (generally May through November) while at the same time helping farmers by ensuring that they'll be able to sell what they've grown).  We joined the CSA, purchasing a half share for our family of two, and really enjoyed our weekly receipt of fresh produce and the convenience of the Old City Green site.

Old City Green is set to be a dropoff point for Lancaster Fresh Farms again this year, however they need  13 more CSA members by April 8 to remain a host site. (Lancaster Fresh Farms requires each host to have 30 members).   If you or your friends want to learn more or sign up, click here.

Old City Green delivers, including delivery of CSA shares.  They can deliver to your home for $10 each delivery or $8.50 per week if you sign up for delivery for the whole CSA season (May – October) or $6.50 per week if you and your close neighbors get together.   The delivery area spans roughly from First Street  to Fourteenth Street and from Massachusetts Avenue to U Street, Northwest.  If interested, call Old City Green 202-412-CITY (2489).

Speaking of, Old City green re-opens for spring tomorrow!!!! Drop by and check out the newly stocked plants and flowers.