tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27390029439330206962024-02-21T04:52:31.790-05:00Eckington DC Livingdcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-28922273786121829222009-04-17T09:46:00.002-04:002009-04-17T09:50:16.271-04:00DC Community Heritage Grants Available!!!From DC Community Heritage Project's intern:<br /><br /><blockquote>I am an intern with the DC Historic Preservation Office helping out with the DC Community Heritage Project. I thought some of your readers might be interested in applying for one of the DC Community Heritage Project grants due on May 1. The program is offering up to $2,000 for nonprofits working on projects to document and preserve DC's heritage. <br /><br />We are having a grant workshop next Tuesday, April 21 at the Southeast Neighborhood Library form 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. If you'd like any more information you can get in touch with Albert Shaheen at grants@wdchumanities.org or you can find more details at the Humanities Council of Washington, DC <a href="http://www.wdchumanities.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=194">website</a>. <br /><br />Thank you for your help and I hope you can pass this information along to folks who might be interested.<br /><br />Best,<br />Eli Pousson</blockquote>dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-40761790351063284142009-03-11T21:26:00.003-04:002009-03-11T21:35:48.002-04:00Seeking Adult Mentors!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv1NXXw1xPzS1eaILDROSJiNHoFDEjbdrzh7ZLFCmQJvkb2k2MsxwErgZJsIEKtM5LxRWvVzUCbv3Ru9NqTT210yRIkHvkNBCX1kolkc0QfeutFVV3T38CVA2nyhdXZ3F3u7GM07PlLGW/s1600-h/BGBS.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 59px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv1NXXw1xPzS1eaILDROSJiNHoFDEjbdrzh7ZLFCmQJvkb2k2MsxwErgZJsIEKtM5LxRWvVzUCbv3Ru9NqTT210yRIkHvkNBCX1kolkc0QfeutFVV3T38CVA2nyhdXZ3F3u7GM07PlLGW/s200/BGBS.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312107781328696610" /></a>Now who doesn't like promoting community service? At the request of Margie Hoerrner, the following is a shout out to people who want to become mentors as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Mentors Inc. programs.<br /><br /><blockquote>Are you interested in making a difference in the life of a child? Consider becoming a mentor.<br /><br />I am organizing a community mentoring program, in collaboration with Big Brother Big Sister, and Mentors Inc., for children ages 8-18 years old, in the LeDroit Park neighborhood of NW Washington DC. I’m currently seeking adult (21+ years old) mentors who are looking to make a difference in the life a child. Time commitment is one hour per week.<br /><br />Please come to our community information meeting to learn more.<br /><br />What: Community mentoring information meeting<br /><br />Who: Adult mentors, 21+ years old, interested in making a difference in the life of a child.<br /><br />When: Monday, March 30, from 6:30 - 8:00pm<br /><br />Where: Florida Avenue Baptist Church, 623 Florida Avenue NW<br />***Please note that you will have to enter the building via the rear entrance off of U Street, at the corner of U and Bohrer (one block west of 6th Street NW).<br /><br />RSVP: Margot Hoerrner, (202) 341-5686, hoerrner@gmail.com</blockquote>dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-25455598550633074032009-03-11T21:25:00.000-04:002009-03-11T21:39:39.916-04:0043 Seaton Place, NW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1Fe4DlalrHzm_xBB6qUpAue6Dc2hb2MTz4zT-KQjGZf2-OIiZuOcU4Znd6fvRoW6D18dx-7edIeesUEnd9FEJAb0G_pm4YG5LOuDiuU8i6CSw6mJtrwTtIgvPkGeFFq15PFJnFYEa1R4/s1600-h/front.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1Fe4DlalrHzm_xBB6qUpAue6Dc2hb2MTz4zT-KQjGZf2-OIiZuOcU4Znd6fvRoW6D18dx-7edIeesUEnd9FEJAb0G_pm4YG5LOuDiuU8i6CSw6mJtrwTtIgvPkGeFFq15PFJnFYEa1R4/s200/front.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312109194921325298" /></a>I'm posting this listing for 43 Seaton Place, NW, at the request of the seller. <br /><br />Check the place out at http://www.43seaton.com/ <br /><br />Looks quite lovely, doesn't it?dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-20764931576360514022009-02-07T17:14:00.002-05:002009-02-07T17:18:23.199-05:00Rooting DC 2009. The 2nd Annual Urban Gardening Forum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5SqAv8BwcDhj2r3c3BEUmvO0IRTdMFNnrX6O6kMFgE2HpH3Gsab_G5ByIMvdaodxw74WGMWsL2UNjpjx0egjiW4han8x2L0O0PhCiV8wYpz-U3Ekk-nTjeeUXLRSFm2Jz4qCHmi3I2Av/s1600-h/Rooting+DC.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5SqAv8BwcDhj2r3c3BEUmvO0IRTdMFNnrX6O6kMFgE2HpH3Gsab_G5ByIMvdaodxw74WGMWsL2UNjpjx0egjiW4han8x2L0O0PhCiV8wYpz-U3Ekk-nTjeeUXLRSFm2Jz4qCHmi3I2Av/s200/Rooting+DC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300183117203929810" /></a>SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009<br /><br />Who: Are you a community gardener in Washington, DC? A teacher with a schoolyard garden? A member of a garden club or block club interested in beautifying your neighborhood? Involved with a non-profit leading a gardening program? Or, are you interested to get involved with such community projects? If so, you are invited to attend this forum designed to bring DC Gardeners together to reconnect. Join us to share resources and foster partnerships between those who are working towards common goals of a greener, healthier DC!<br /><br />REGISTER here. http://www.rootingdc.org/ <br />Keep Rooting DC Free: DONATE here. http://www.rootingdc.org/donate <br />VOLUNTEER! Contact Liz Falk at 7thStreetGarden@gmail.com <br />to help either the weeks prior to the event and/or during.<br /><br />Where: At the beautiful and historic Carnegie Library, 801 K Street NW.<br />When: 10 am - 4pm, a light lunch will be provided.<br />How Much: Just like last year, this event will be FREE and open to the public!dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-61537467140966315492009-01-27T21:58:00.006-05:002009-01-27T22:29:26.694-05:00Firehouse Restaurant Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3B2hSh6DcTQnbjQKXLb3gsvQszg8e50TvFzJCC4Nda30vwcPr-KPrYTvsogeGactcs5pnsqfp-M7tyOiSQLz2qykJV3ETU7o_8wzVhKsQ67ibt9WimDuZRpuUKpjmGJ2XESgcjzAB7uY/s1600-h/Firehouse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3B2hSh6DcTQnbjQKXLb3gsvQszg8e50TvFzJCC4Nda30vwcPr-KPrYTvsogeGactcs5pnsqfp-M7tyOiSQLz2qykJV3ETU7o_8wzVhKsQ67ibt9WimDuZRpuUKpjmGJ2XESgcjzAB7uY/s320/Firehouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296181314725574674" /></a>This is an old pic before $100,000 of work was done on the building(although it still looks the same to me the last time I passed by it). Apparently, it is now for sale as the Bloomingdale <a href="http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2009/01/old-firehouse-for-sale.html">blog</a> notes. Brian Brown, the owner and developer of the property, posted an update on the Eckington listserv explaining what is going on:<br /><br /><blockquote>I would like to give the neighborhood an update on the Firehouse restaurant project. Since many people joined this list midstream I will backtrack a little so everyone is on the same page.<br /><br />Several years ago Nextgen Development was awarded the Firehouse via RFP where we were to be the developer and Mike Benson (operator of St Ex bar and café) would be the operator. Near the end of a year planning stage Mike Benson and his partners dropped out for personal reasons. Over the next 14 Months we met with approximate 20+ qualified operators and while there was interest from many operators, most were frankly afraid to take the chance of opening a restaurant in an untested neighborhood. Near the end of the 14 months we met Twyla Garett of Martini 2020 who upon looking at the site and the neighborhood potential rapidly moved forward to commit to the project. Nextgen proceeded to complete the acquisition and moved forward on the project. Unfortunately for Nextgen Twyla signed that agreement just as the financial mess hit nationwide. As a result four or five months after she signed the agreement the financing she had lined up disappeared and she defaulted on her agreement. <br /><br />In spite of that default Nextgen made the decision to move forward on the project while we looked for a new operator. We committed to spending between $500,000 and $750,000 of our own funds while we searched for a new operator. (Note: this does not include the $100,000 in interest payments we have made to date while we carry this project) The work performed to date on the site is as follows:<br /><br />95% completion of the exterior building restoration.<br /><br />We addressed some environmental issues we became aware of<br /><br />We completed 90% of the non-structural demo required for the project<br /><br />We spent $250+k completing the architectural and structural plans.<br /><br />We initiated structural stabilization of the building<br /><br />Bid out most aspects of the critical systems so we could move quickly when we find the right operator.<br /><br />During the time we were doing the above work we have continued to search for operators. While we have gotten close to signing a new operator over 7 times, each time something would surface near the completion of the deal that undid it. I will share two such situations here. One operator we found was in a financial cash position to move forward however one of the conditions they were looking for some nominal help from the city for their first 5 years of operation to make their numbers work.. Unfortunately while we had every indication from the city that this would happen (including legislation being introduced to that effect) however the deteriorating local economy killed the city’s ability to deliver that help in fiscal 2008 and that deal died. Subsequent to that opportunity collapsing we signed a letter of intent with another operator, and started working through the operating agreement, however 1 week after we signed that agreement their financing partner collapsed. (Their financing partner was Lehman Brothers) <br /><br />During the time we have been have been marketing the space we have gotten a number of operators that expressed interest only if they could purchase the building as part of the transaction. In the past we declined to consider that because we wanted to make sure that we could fulfill our commitment to the community of delivering a restaurant on the first level of the building. <br /><br />After discussion with several bankers regarding how restaurants are currently being financed we have come to realize that in today’s financial instability that the only likely way that a restaurant will get financing on this type project is if they use the building as collateral to complete the build out. While this was not true in the past the problems banks are having has resulted in it being nearly impossible for any other option. <br /><br />To that end we have changed our marketing strategy to bring this project to market. Shortly you will see a lease/sale sign appear on the building. This is also being placed in Co-star, Loop net as well as the MLS as a sale/lease. The hope is to bring in an operator that previously might have rejected it because they could not lock in their costs by purchasing part or majority ownership of the project at the time they build-out the restaurant. It may be that we may just become general contractor on this project. Our intent is to still to find a way in spite of the financial environment to try to move this project forward. We are trying to think outside the box to keep this process moving. We have also reached out to the Council members’ office for advice/options also. Thank you for your understanding and patience.<br /><br />Brian Brown</blockquote>dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-28462608985448707622009-01-19T09:35:00.014-05:002009-01-22T13:17:55.670-05:00The Inaugural Concert<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06nxy6tJ_bzyW-cFh1xtBiH7iIsaVfIVgn3ClwrlamHnEQMKSpRhtYfhVcZFVlQTO8XFLZmfeV3Lrs4zLSZr3MV9Q4QQbqRvjdaG9n6KdBYhgUmuQ7kOqN8yyH375wzVPlN9dGUol823O/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+013.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06nxy6tJ_bzyW-cFh1xtBiH7iIsaVfIVgn3ClwrlamHnEQMKSpRhtYfhVcZFVlQTO8XFLZmfeV3Lrs4zLSZr3MV9Q4QQbqRvjdaG9n6KdBYhgUmuQ7kOqN8yyH375wzVPlN9dGUol823O/s200/Inauguration+2009+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293016037448996834" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZonMshLQWjiQkRY8m4i9XWraahLeAXBun5MKVUeC7eD4H4BdkwqXtIlOTGDDMfLZ67C_Hndjus9OEVooYj0BpMJK-kXDlH6Sn_LU8MBTUuR9xWuv5QxqZLiKdcOt5JUYSwezh9-Fd3c3g/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+025.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZonMshLQWjiQkRY8m4i9XWraahLeAXBun5MKVUeC7eD4H4BdkwqXtIlOTGDDMfLZ67C_Hndjus9OEVooYj0BpMJK-kXDlH6Sn_LU8MBTUuR9xWuv5QxqZLiKdcOt5JUYSwezh9-Fd3c3g/s200/Inauguration+2009+025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293019311698609490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On Saturday night, a friend of mine called me and told me she had a spare VIP ticket to the concert and asked if I wanted to go with her. Of course I said yes! Here are some pics on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13786697@N04/sets/72157612752668906/">flickr</a> from our pretty awesome seats. <br /><br />We even had better seats than Virginia Senator Mark Warner! He sat behind us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMQkeegREV-AjQM4km7166wdZd_d5kg5k6Yl-6JGr3GuuMairhPA_NWjSyZI1xZ2gsbitCxo1FQk4BzwlEU7cytKz8QJfJg5aFAaYc7hDIeFMv-fG9m8PsBrZnCwf7tul-aqj4cEEiupY/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMQkeegREV-AjQM4km7166wdZd_d5kg5k6Yl-6JGr3GuuMairhPA_NWjSyZI1xZ2gsbitCxo1FQk4BzwlEU7cytKz8QJfJg5aFAaYc7hDIeFMv-fG9m8PsBrZnCwf7tul-aqj4cEEiupY/s200/Inauguration+2009+032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293019316168120290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4FlfTe_9krFXAEtT9fqoIcxlElRyP9JTuHuoMqU3rbl_6rG4U5Eot0N9cY0xzOueaiJ7AXc-o1eBOWjwk07PPHIhCF510u-CtGIXsUHv_ZSkfxZzK_KOfX4Bw6dn7dtXe2xDMn7vAlGP/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4FlfTe_9krFXAEtT9fqoIcxlElRyP9JTuHuoMqU3rbl_6rG4U5Eot0N9cY0xzOueaiJ7AXc-o1eBOWjwk07PPHIhCF510u-CtGIXsUHv_ZSkfxZzK_KOfX4Bw6dn7dtXe2xDMn7vAlGP/s200/Inauguration+2009+041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293019334657514754" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPixUXMgTYqQF5OJK9nz80WChB06pemG8YK2PVSXZgZGMHgGBnPCtPNMdy6piH8VnpQvIlXBsJth7V4Nr0gHKP4tA3PsEZKy4GSngLUTmzD1XTKWaTTrKvKSC0OqZn6HBAfM1VkqYLrSEC/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPixUXMgTYqQF5OJK9nz80WChB06pemG8YK2PVSXZgZGMHgGBnPCtPNMdy6piH8VnpQvIlXBsJth7V4Nr0gHKP4tA3PsEZKy4GSngLUTmzD1XTKWaTTrKvKSC0OqZn6HBAfM1VkqYLrSEC/s200/Inauguration+2009+038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293019326468437682" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyI98vDAPS0SOqEwa3UTqbtYO-MDWfvrIoImnDhqQVgjHjuw9HftOYnA9U0NAq3X6LLbZyjZTUeIrMJR8_Nu2zocTg6beYNhvC4SHQNjsk-K2gnwDpK5j6iLL7ensAZaTtprrijsNXBAHs/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyI98vDAPS0SOqEwa3UTqbtYO-MDWfvrIoImnDhqQVgjHjuw9HftOYnA9U0NAq3X6LLbZyjZTUeIrMJR8_Nu2zocTg6beYNhvC4SHQNjsk-K2gnwDpK5j6iLL7ensAZaTtprrijsNXBAHs/s200/Inauguration+2009+037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293019322359508594" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl66MA_HobJEjpGw1bzlvaM8_e8QSk4Grq2YEpmy53RcGsbFEblYV6R95iQIFCvrWAfdufAEszPqGBQD_ZPnTi0sp56QwDef-8dR7tSwPL_1B6LIlUYuA-ve8PzzKDj_n3JOYC7zUT8Lqk/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl66MA_HobJEjpGw1bzlvaM8_e8QSk4Grq2YEpmy53RcGsbFEblYV6R95iQIFCvrWAfdufAEszPqGBQD_ZPnTi0sp56QwDef-8dR7tSwPL_1B6LIlUYuA-ve8PzzKDj_n3JOYC7zUT8Lqk/s200/Inauguration+2009+048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293025042005622882" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtStcVUJWlbf3wKlLIAraiO9yOAjhGPA_eWRfkp_okSnJf1vMU_utU9xQBFuVMocNtd1fl4JowFqdloBmw_SpBPE31SFX0FYQHYlAi3flKCJ5Q2v6i3MoJr2hhCid3S4NkzRBzUQYHEqF/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtStcVUJWlbf3wKlLIAraiO9yOAjhGPA_eWRfkp_okSnJf1vMU_utU9xQBFuVMocNtd1fl4JowFqdloBmw_SpBPE31SFX0FYQHYlAi3flKCJ5Q2v6i3MoJr2hhCid3S4NkzRBzUQYHEqF/s200/Inauguration+2009+046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293025038854354594" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiLpgE1oE4fpc8wAIakcS8rptzWZWxzbhYIYJ_WYfCmvyl0BJcUDd2fDSt0Rp9G3X9RondhyphenhyphenurVs8tjCbtc3Ps4A5KK20tz-0nFfux_0zmJ16k0w0BKhJtt9cdWn9YDM51dys0rEjQu0M/s1600-h/Inauguration+2009+027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiLpgE1oE4fpc8wAIakcS8rptzWZWxzbhYIYJ_WYfCmvyl0BJcUDd2fDSt0Rp9G3X9RondhyphenhyphenurVs8tjCbtc3Ps4A5KK20tz-0nFfux_0zmJ16k0w0BKhJtt9cdWn9YDM51dys0rEjQu0M/s200/Inauguration+2009+027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293025032495443986" /></a>dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-44361704220079573542009-01-05T20:00:00.000-05:002009-01-06T14:29:19.032-05:00An Urban Neighborhood on the Rise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJddOVKrcjsQiUsX2ylbQehN9HZQSml77EOm1muCxAC8yukiglcvKvj6ZI0zXdQ6nqwkMb3GN3G8GFfeZvALsbAYsYB9ZlHTyOZR4EL7H1KOgOccO_WpLLXJqkKAsXU6CGJLVcBqKMXpam/s1600-h/WP+Eckington+article.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJddOVKrcjsQiUsX2ylbQehN9HZQSml77EOm1muCxAC8yukiglcvKvj6ZI0zXdQ6nqwkMb3GN3G8GFfeZvALsbAYsYB9ZlHTyOZR4EL7H1KOgOccO_WpLLXJqkKAsXU6CGJLVcBqKMXpam/s200/WP+Eckington+article.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288263064250038562" /></a>I thought this <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/31/AR2008123102189.html">Washington Post article</a> was generally positive and presented an accurate portrayal of Eckington. <br /><br />Kudos to Mary Ellen Slaytor, the article's author. She had contacted me through this blog to get my thoughts and I'm glad that she was able to get a variety of viewpoints from the diverse Eckington population.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-18287902046068140842008-08-27T14:25:00.005-04:002008-08-27T14:40:16.744-04:00Are "Gentrifiers" Close-Minded?Commenter AfroDC made the following comment to <a href="http://eckingtondc.blogspot.com/2007/12/change-coming-soon-from-sursum-corda-to.html">my post</a> about Sursum Corda from December of last year:<br /><blockquote>Wow, it really is amazing to have confirmation about what African-Americans suspected of White people living in our neighborhoods. Your close-mindedness is sad. What's even worst is that you and your "hubby" are two reaons why 500 families will be displaced. The inhabitants of Sursum Corda, yes black and yes, some are drug dealers, weren't given the same opportunities as you or have the luxury to bike through and criticize someone else's neighborhood. Thank you again for confirming this for me, it helps me when we gather at nights to do our "kill-whitey" rituals.</blockquote>In all honesty, I'm not losing sleep over this comment. I've engaged in this conversation many times before and frankly don't have the energy or time to write a long blogpost to defend myself nor do I think I even need to. But I thought I'd dedicate a post to the comment since I do think it's important that neighborhoods talk about these issues as they inevitably come up on a regular basis and especially whenever change comes into a neighborhood.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-11004670464525894232008-07-22T13:36:00.004-04:002008-07-22T13:45:33.837-04:00Attendance at James Bond Film Festival in NoMa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLc6xzLPmznzx5SFcJOuHrHUsbadXb9NtHdGQ-4xlzzPldKLteWZ7z8IVPRnsN9NGh_hVZp4LaSzbFjAIxtvjLVz-rWifNf3pE89kFh1pnJrfcbiiTD4pNH-PGZRUlL3I7PhLHTLFj-5Z/s1600-h/072208g.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLc6xzLPmznzx5SFcJOuHrHUsbadXb9NtHdGQ-4xlzzPldKLteWZ7z8IVPRnsN9NGh_hVZp4LaSzbFjAIxtvjLVz-rWifNf3pE89kFh1pnJrfcbiiTD4pNH-PGZRUlL3I7PhLHTLFj-5Z/s400/072208g.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225895169928398946" /></a>I've received some inquiries as to how well attended the <a href="http://eckingtondc.blogspot.com/2008/03/james-bond-film-festival-at-noma-coming.html">James Bond in NoMa</a> event has been. The picture above of the July 17 Moonraker showing should answer those questions. According to the Real Estate Bisnow <a href="http://bisnow.com/washington_dc_commercial_real_estate_news_story.php?p=1372">article</a> accompanying the picture, NoMa BID President Liz Price says the film festival has attracted about 200 people per show. <br /><br />I actually haven't gotten around to watching a show as I am never available on Thursdays but anyone has any other experiences they'd like to share about the shows?dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-26476141434269709182008-06-23T16:21:00.004-04:002008-06-23T16:35:10.946-04:00Au Bon Pain Coming to NoMa MarriottSo my blog has been on vacation for the last month or so but I'm hoping my postings will be start to pick up again. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDcTkUyfpeKBxhuGzmMPHRQ6NI5Y5ehhbqMGT5vZ0XcNg-r8CwVphGoq4JHwGXdvekeZXVSGe_QMwCM17v7_OWcnUTaiSvqUIxz_ykwWEAhcNvL53C5H27PNb6BJTADnjLnjBGDL1eZfp/s1600-h/logo_aubonpain.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDcTkUyfpeKBxhuGzmMPHRQ6NI5Y5ehhbqMGT5vZ0XcNg-r8CwVphGoq4JHwGXdvekeZXVSGe_QMwCM17v7_OWcnUTaiSvqUIxz_ykwWEAhcNvL53C5H27PNb6BJTADnjLnjBGDL1eZfp/s400/logo_aubonpain.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215176270408531074" /></a>That said, <a href="http://www.aubonpain.com/">Au Bon Pain </a>will be <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/06/23/daily3.html?f=et87&ana=e_du">opening</a> up at the Marriott Courtyard (which is also looking like it's coming along well for its expected opening next year).<br /><br />And if you haven't noticed their signs up yet at the ATF retail space, we had <a href="http://eckingtondc.blogspot.com/2008/03/five-guys-coming-to-noma.html">reported</a> that <a href="http://fiveguys.com/">Five Guys</a> was coming to NoMa. It has actually been <a href="http://www.nomabid.com/index.cfm?objectID=5463E3D4-1D09-317F-BBA99A3F02910B0A">official</a> for the last couple of weeks.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-26375450156579407532008-05-17T07:51:00.002-04:002008-05-17T07:54:26.191-04:00Bloomingdale Farmers Market Starts This Weekend!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RIu5SasQVinp8C0nQ9J4uA_UsPmeIonyt_3gS8o7T-9tNKpYwHvPrAAGEKtma7hBOrEkN1MZZE2Z_PAKnSS9bjBsrEnOmCeB2DfwJQ1ozrdmnDwbOaJQIHsQFv83qAlOSTGGvGMMM25n/s1600-h/Bloomingdale+farmer%27s+market2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RIu5SasQVinp8C0nQ9J4uA_UsPmeIonyt_3gS8o7T-9tNKpYwHvPrAAGEKtma7hBOrEkN1MZZE2Z_PAKnSS9bjBsrEnOmCeB2DfwJQ1ozrdmnDwbOaJQIHsQFv83qAlOSTGGvGMMM25n/s320/Bloomingdale+farmer%27s+market2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201313519593063218" /></a><br />Sundays, May 18-November 23<br />10 am - 2 pm. <br />First & R Streets NW, next to the Big Bear Cafe<br /><br />Go!dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-78595048437454026702008-05-10T00:21:00.005-04:002008-05-10T08:02:53.326-04:00Greyhound moving on out, eventually...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_eDyc2ufgdh6TNoJ1Zyo5AS3dLMe1oKtLzVxL7IOz4yZBwXUAKbxaaCDn1KsLQJSSsbZlP5qjPJ2rONZtR894muTaTllVRtDVgAFQh3-LEA9DRS1GVxcK58EKwo-lzrrbHEKejpQQmEu/s1600-h/100_1125.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_eDyc2ufgdh6TNoJ1Zyo5AS3dLMe1oKtLzVxL7IOz4yZBwXUAKbxaaCDn1KsLQJSSsbZlP5qjPJ2rONZtR894muTaTllVRtDVgAFQh3-LEA9DRS1GVxcK58EKwo-lzrrbHEKejpQQmEu/s320/100_1125.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198718417902722466" /></a>I've always wondered how the Greyhound station would fit in with all of the developments going up around it. It's been there way before "NoMa" became a real estate buzzword. At the least, I thought the station would be spruced up as its run-down state become even more glaring next to the new buildings going up. <br /><br />Now I know that it's up for <a href="http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/05/05/tidbits1.html?jst=s_cn_hl">sale</a> and that in fact, selling the property and moving Greyhound inside Union Station has been discussed for some time. It's also been <a href="http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/05/12/story11.html">reported</a> that there is a lot of excitement (at least among real estate people) about Greyhound's decision to sell because its location is considered to be a key part of NoMa's redevelopment. The city would like to see First Street NE as the heart of NoMa and as a neighborhood retail center where NoMa residents can hang out.<br /><br />It gets easier to visualize NoMa as a vibrant business district as we hear more about big leases being signed, etc. but I still can't visualize it as a "neighborhood." Maybe when the residential properties are completed and the Harris Teeter opens, it'll be easier to. But for now, a NoMa neighborhood is still a ways away with none of the residential properties finished (have they even started any of those buildings?) and with Greyhound still planning to lease back once they find a buyer.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-19418388025581861232008-05-10T00:08:00.005-04:002008-05-10T00:20:48.784-04:00Bike Rack at the NY Avenue Metro<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe53TdDU450-Y97mCm22VcH6wgXwovrO3WkAK-dZnHefjXWDvjNFMfYYTaw0u5GHe_T4c0PkJrIgloLnbuu6p1aNCzO03vHdqjE7ZsPEePiikdtwfk7cMUMGDTQqNyAP1zE_gnFsxZoIxH/s1600-h/100_1119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe53TdDU450-Y97mCm22VcH6wgXwovrO3WkAK-dZnHefjXWDvjNFMfYYTaw0u5GHe_T4c0PkJrIgloLnbuu6p1aNCzO03vHdqjE7ZsPEePiikdtwfk7cMUMGDTQqNyAP1zE_gnFsxZoIxH/s320/100_1119.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198599357114310018" /></a>I just noticed this bike rack by <a href="http://poundcoffee.com/index.php">Pound</a> today. It's kind of in a random location, not right by the metro entrance. Maybe they put them there in anticipation of more street traffic due to people attending the <a href="http://eckington.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/james-bond-noma-summer-thursday-nights/">James Bond film festival</a> or for the hotel and eateries opening up?dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-31791176348668576322008-05-09T23:49:00.004-04:002008-05-10T00:07:49.625-04:00They had reckless drivers back then too....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJOFgxLijdeJIiL5rSKN8jLjHuuP9mwQSJSGgbf8kCjTPb5L4SY5Uyk1XVW922ljeyD-7nTY0P12wgUb6B_trw8a9RKVZftd__95gPrdLU-vQI8-miUDEDewjwnlSAgrfCKh_UqdE1CTm/s1600-h/20467u_preview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJOFgxLijdeJIiL5rSKN8jLjHuuP9mwQSJSGgbf8kCjTPb5L4SY5Uyk1XVW922ljeyD-7nTY0P12wgUb6B_trw8a9RKVZftd__95gPrdLU-vQI8-miUDEDewjwnlSAgrfCKh_UqdE1CTm/s320/20467u_preview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198592132979318114" /></a><br />Thanks to a Bloomingdale resident for alerting me to this photo and story of a streetcar derailment in Eckington, circa 1919. Read all about it <a href="http://www.shorpy.com/node/3318#comment-33005">here</a>.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-23030901244483266402008-05-05T22:04:00.006-04:002008-05-05T22:58:46.067-04:00Don't Forget...Artomatic Opening This Friday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8KRbLdbZNwHBlQaQJCGg3ToG7dSM3lpjHSETbs2Pn0kNEGhyJl_vRP6axyxxgsIZ6Ku3g1Mh7NOr2WoKjd86da4vq2Fk3ap9pGPfNCa3ryDaiQpbZMJHSY_zy2QoEoLc7EZgVavbBhff/s1600-h/100_1053.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8KRbLdbZNwHBlQaQJCGg3ToG7dSM3lpjHSETbs2Pn0kNEGhyJl_vRP6axyxxgsIZ6Ku3g1Mh7NOr2WoKjd86da4vq2Fk3ap9pGPfNCa3ryDaiQpbZMJHSY_zy2QoEoLc7EZgVavbBhff/s200/100_1053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197080128524575426" /></a>Don't forget! Over 700 artists and 300 performances will be at Artomatic 2008 and it's all starting this Friday at the Capitol Plaza I building (bad picture to the left) on 1st and M Streets, NE. <br /><br />Highlights of opening weekend (from the NoMa BID <a href="http://nomabid.org/index.cfm?objectID=AB5C31F8-1D09-317F-BB833235BA02A81C">press release</a>) include:<blockquote>*Unveiling of nine floors of 2-D and 3-D visual arts presentations by more than 700 local and regional artists. <br />*Flights of Fire--a fire dancing performance to be held outside at 9 p.m., Friday, May 9. <br />*"Electro-acoustic psychedelic world dance music" by Baltimore’s Telesma at 9 p.m., Friday, May 9. <br />*A Latin dance workshop with professional dance instructor Ibis Villegas, featuring salsa, merengue, samba, and other styles at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 10. <br />*Progressive rock by Guardians of Iridescence at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 10. <br />*"The Road to Success," performance art by Carolina Mayorga in the form of a new TV game show at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 10. <br />*New wave/indie rock by Plastiq Passion, an all-girl band from Union City, New Jersey at 11 p.m., Saturday, May 10. <br />*An expressive drawing workshop with Giliah Litwack at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 11. <br />*"In-your-face" jazz/jam music "with a touch of funk" by Bethesda, JD-based Bassment Breaks at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 11. </blockquote>More information and the full schedule of events is at <a href="http://www.artomatic.org/">www.artomatic.org</a>.<br /><br />Scenic Artisan at the <a href="http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2008/05/artomatic-2008-opening-night.html">Bloomingdale blog</a> and other neighborhood artists will be exhibiting so more reason to go!dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-44755191997472586702008-05-04T07:20:00.002-04:002008-05-04T07:33:42.280-04:00Pound Coffee Now Has Weekend HoursAs <a href="http://eckingtondc.blogspot.com/2008/04/pound-coffee-to-have-weekend-hours.html">noted</a> earlier, Pound Coffee now has weekend hours. According to their <a href="http://poundcoffee.com/index.php?id=1">website</a> and from when I passed by yesterday, they are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. So no more excuses not to try them out!dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-82884269634884139992008-04-26T16:50:00.004-04:002008-04-27T22:17:43.535-04:00Walking Tour of EckingtonI'm posting some pics I took of the Eckington walking tour. The rest are on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13786697@N04/sets/72157604764872360/">flickr</a> including random pictures of the neighborhood. <a href="http://eckingtontour.blogspot.com/">Eckington Tour</a> also has some tour pictures next to pictures of Eckington way back in the day. It was a very well attended tour of about 60 people, many of whom lived in the neighborhood and in DC but also included a surprising number of people who live outside of DC. <br /><br />Waiting for the tour to start in front of the ATF building<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cwOPv8wU1-tohhUuLR35_vCxt9Z9hXG8NP5OsXiA0y9YJXpmrlQtgI6fXX0Zj5OxSJwUYd2k6dvoT9uSkRwGR8jCPxVn_aZuuEzyur6F833ombFibeT6M3Wwv7-ZYNkxDwwADfHXLC5L/s1600-h/100_1057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cwOPv8wU1-tohhUuLR35_vCxt9Z9hXG8NP5OsXiA0y9YJXpmrlQtgI6fXX0Zj5OxSJwUYd2k6dvoT9uSkRwGR8jCPxVn_aZuuEzyur6F833ombFibeT6M3Wwv7-ZYNkxDwwADfHXLC5L/s320/100_1057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194099352501674610" /></a><br /><br />Judd & Detwiler Building/XM Satellite Building at 1500 Eckington Place, NE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0Q-4NV0-jK2YdEyETw-rG0KbneWAoLNrARkZuXmThU3L83WKFYdqi0Lx6eY_SRExrcwkAvbnAeAHYt9pDukq9mqW3Y9O5C9hE19YKlm4lK6dkKSaF6HH8ctoLhw6xkoqg5NVKAD1rAu7/s1600-h/100_1061.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0Q-4NV0-jK2YdEyETw-rG0KbneWAoLNrARkZuXmThU3L83WKFYdqi0Lx6eY_SRExrcwkAvbnAeAHYt9pDukq9mqW3Y9O5C9hE19YKlm4lK6dkKSaF6HH8ctoLhw6xkoqg5NVKAD1rAu7/s320/100_1061.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194099361091609218" /></a><br /><br />Eckington School, 111 Quincy Place, NE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkaI7nhLWWwf6BEej7nW0cKLbrRw777YuY9nOPDjo0ks2ps1Nm8DjCYGSGiFrThyphenhyphengKch08wQX9e_zsXI4VLb3ZQN4TqLPRe2efjSxHjh0NErQSTWMWmelzMMK0AHxq6Fo0J0AfGM3LMZt/s1600-h/100_1065.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkaI7nhLWWwf6BEej7nW0cKLbrRw777YuY9nOPDjo0ks2ps1Nm8DjCYGSGiFrThyphenhyphengKch08wQX9e_zsXI4VLb3ZQN4TqLPRe2efjSxHjh0NErQSTWMWmelzMMK0AHxq6Fo0J0AfGM3LMZt/s320/100_1065.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194099365386576530" /></a><br /><br />McKinley Technical High School, 151 T Street, NE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXZ0igiF2xkR4bQYaMqkzWVBaPrbeEsHF_1xn78H9KoMDMo1oJ0soEja2hS9k78_7JA6YW5QprUgbleJZNIRbczBhvDcaslUoKiUdnigVmUdRGZeiSF1OAETUO63IyPmuaYZ4kiGwH7ZX/s1600-h/100_1086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXZ0igiF2xkR4bQYaMqkzWVBaPrbeEsHF_1xn78H9KoMDMo1oJ0soEja2hS9k78_7JA6YW5QprUgbleJZNIRbczBhvDcaslUoKiUdnigVmUdRGZeiSF1OAETUO63IyPmuaYZ4kiGwH7ZX/s320/100_1086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194099378271478434" /></a><br /><br />The Old Car Barn at 4th & T Streets, NE<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji76Y3TUhQyVX-LcyIKbyqYzSY4J8jGt93k1gLhAuslRBF69YF2tTm4gKhcTodXOFf_MzMR4nrl70l2hxENIbGGLSiYg3HtRsippDyxFGkPfnTt1hqArAU8Nk26XB-xg-xOcRqNhqdc3QA/s1600-h/100_1092.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji76Y3TUhQyVX-LcyIKbyqYzSY4J8jGt93k1gLhAuslRBF69YF2tTm4gKhcTodXOFf_MzMR4nrl70l2hxENIbGGLSiYg3HtRsippDyxFGkPfnTt1hqArAU8Nk26XB-xg-xOcRqNhqdc3QA/s320/100_1092.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194099382566445746" /></a>dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-90554297173960245372008-04-21T20:33:00.005-04:002008-04-21T22:45:53.584-04:00Bloomingdale Farmers Market to Start in May<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji00kA_3uMa7RxURW4iP5L2mmPopz-amMluACqxuoXHWXDc6lUxV3z0AbqzudgEyTrHjB935txmwxF5PxclM7dhVVWXnKdo_NHrCaVtjNkxDNpYkw1xjgDz27x7ke3vCi9nkAOpVMgHmuk/s1600-h/1571254410_fc8c749982.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji00kA_3uMa7RxURW4iP5L2mmPopz-amMluACqxuoXHWXDc6lUxV3z0AbqzudgEyTrHjB935txmwxF5PxclM7dhVVWXnKdo_NHrCaVtjNkxDNpYkw1xjgDz27x7ke3vCi9nkAOpVMgHmuk/s320/1571254410_fc8c749982.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191888350582333938" /></a>According to the the Washington Post's 2008 Farmers Market Guide, the Bloomingdale Farmers Market on Sundays will start back up in May. The guide actually has conflicting start dates. The <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/foodanddining/features/2008/farmers-markets/index.html">Map</a> entry lists the start date as May 3 while the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/15/AR2008041500740.html">Market Listings</a> has it as May 18. Since May 3 is not even a Sunday, I think the start date will probably be May 18. I've asked for clarification but haven't heard back so if anyone knows too, let me know. Either way, I'm looking forward to this earlier start date and making a visit to the market a regular Sunday event again!<br /><br />Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/inshaw/1571254410/in/set-72157601936848661/">In Shaw</a>.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-79104473172161223702008-04-19T18:14:00.006-04:002008-04-19T18:35:52.534-04:002020 Martini Cafe and Lounge Coming to North Capitol Street<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjyRVMtLxMplVQKQMlCDNfgGbnozQXomB8JfiSqrawkoYFKF1-d5w8dBJD9-MZew5CPPf52DSgd3Ivxyk2J9Vt03uX5E4QU50I_Ou7tXNRel83wZB-hZKJ5BSputN2GlsThMVPPTRxnE5/s1600-h/116110-400-0.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjyRVMtLxMplVQKQMlCDNfgGbnozQXomB8JfiSqrawkoYFKF1-d5w8dBJD9-MZew5CPPf52DSgd3Ivxyk2J9Vt03uX5E4QU50I_Ou7tXNRel83wZB-hZKJ5BSputN2GlsThMVPPTRxnE5/s320/116110-400-0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191088353592156930" /></a><br />For those who are dying to see some positive sign of life on North Capitol, which I'm assuming is most of Bloomingdale and Eckington, here it is. <br /><br />The old firehouse will be developed into 2020 Martini Cafe and Lounge, a restaurant offering pizza, pasta, sushi, and a whole lot more.<br /><br />Here is the Biz Journal <a href="http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/04/21/story10.html">article</a> and Bloomingdale's <a href="http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2008/04/old-engine-company-12-to-become-2020.html">post</a> about this awesome news.<br /><br />One thing I didn't read anywhere is when is it going to be done? It sounds like it's going to be a pretty big project requiring a complete renovation of the building. Is it too hopeful to think it'll be done in a year?dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-40611661711974052922008-04-16T12:03:00.006-04:002008-04-17T10:45:15.648-04:00Delayed restaurant openings, losing Eckington Park, and safety escort services...Check out NoMa BID's spring <a href="http://nomabid.org/newsletter/mar08/">newsletter</a>. It provides an overview of all NoMa-related happenings since the start of the year. Here are notables:<br /><br />Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli and Sister’s Pizza & Mussels is expected to be open by June. That is probably very unlikely. It is already mid-April and although the space has been cleaned out the last time I passed by and I see what look like walls being built, I don't think it'll be done by June. <br /><br />Coming soon are the ground breaking for several residential buildings, two of which are far away from Eckington (450 units at 1st and M Street NE and 300 unit apartment building at 60 L Street). But Trammell Crow Residential's 650-unit Eckington I is right in the neighborhood. That is the location of "<a href="http://eckington.wordpress.com/running-routes/#EckingtonParkNormal">Eckington Park</a>." I don't really see any new activity at the park besides the occasionally residents running laps or playing with their dogs. Anyone notice anything new? Does coming soon mean some time this year?<br /><br />Finally, BID is planning to launch a Safety Ambassador Program this month. These ambassadors I assume will be like those in other BIDs. Among their tasks is "providing safety escort services upon request." As an Eckington resident, I couldn't imagine using such a service (except super late at night when the ambassadors probably aren't working anymore). <br /><br />But for those people who will soon be working in NoMa and are worried about safety, I hope these ambassadors will be able to appease some of your concerns. I've never felt unsafe walking or biking through NoMa during the day or early evening but I consider this area my neighborhood. I can completely understand not feeling too great in an area that you're not familiar with.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-75311537818649586602008-04-07T22:48:00.004-04:002008-04-07T23:17:45.318-04:00Hilton Garden Inn Coming to NoMa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoVuY83TAjfbi4haxhOzO22MCRI7AbNVODziFMBuWMnXAp5A1ZiWPohNy6I_uGSyC_65XNG7dTHYYXa4iM_7M1uXl_CouvorQUZBjbGNqIFP7OHnST2DC2oLvSXSh9vaSDXd0fnaZZvDw/s1600-h/hilton+garden+inn.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoVuY83TAjfbi4haxhOzO22MCRI7AbNVODziFMBuWMnXAp5A1ZiWPohNy6I_uGSyC_65XNG7dTHYYXa4iM_7M1uXl_CouvorQUZBjbGNqIFP7OHnST2DC2oLvSXSh9vaSDXd0fnaZZvDw/s400/hilton+garden+inn.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186705911735001202" /></a><br /><a href="http://nomabid.org/index.cfm?objectID=2A21793A-1D09-317F-BB1A6F660B771504">Constitution Square</a> broke ground today with Mayor Fenty and Delegate Norton attending the ceremony. A commenter alerted me to the fact that a 204-room Hilton Garden Inn Hotel will also be built. According to the NoMa BID press release, the first phase of Constitution Square will include the following:<br /><br /><blockquote>One Constitution Square, with 340,000 square feet of speculative office space; <br />Two Constitution Square, with 589,000 square feet of Class A office space, of which 521,000 SF is pre-leased to the US General Services Administration (GSA) for the DoJ; <br />A 50,000 square foot Harris Teeter grocery store; and 30,000 square feet of additional retail space; <br />A residential building with 440 apartment units; and <br />A 204-key Hilton Garden Inn Hotel to be owned and operated by an affiliate of OTO Development of Spartanburg, SC, including meeting facilities and a restaurant open seven days a week.</blockquote><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/04/07/daily6.html">Washington Business Journal</a> reports that the office space will be delivered in the first half of 2010, with 440 residential units to follow in the summer, and the hotel and Harris Teeter popping up in late 2010 and early 2011.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-3698029297221428322008-04-07T21:29:00.003-04:002008-04-07T22:02:21.946-04:00Pound Coffee to Have Weekend Hours<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2X0wE-kuhuHlFMlvM3y1gx96V2hOUYbIockVWMGMnq4OSCRWQxs4UPz5TNs-QGGuykp8ZDnZ-7YoRkdKaWXng0w13PceorymvZ6KKZtmjL91A1oi-QSCPVNdX7XIZfPKj1ryeDFH-CyE/s1600-h/pound_photo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2X0wE-kuhuHlFMlvM3y1gx96V2hOUYbIockVWMGMnq4OSCRWQxs4UPz5TNs-QGGuykp8ZDnZ-7YoRkdKaWXng0w13PceorymvZ6KKZtmjL91A1oi-QSCPVNdX7XIZfPKj1ryeDFH-CyE/s400/pound_photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186686004561584226" /></a>According to NoMa BID's <a href="http://nomabid.org/index.cfm?objectID=1B81DEEC-1D09-317F-BB5D03EA0732EA76">press release</a> about Pound's opening on April 1, 2008, <a href="http://poundcoffee.com/index.php">Pound</a> will have weekend hours from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, starting in May. Oh goodie, I look forward to that, maybe I'll finally get a chance to check them out.<br /><br />So has anyone been to Pound yet? Apparently they serve "unbelievably good coffee and superior baked goods." Hubby and I don't drink coffee and rarely eat pastries so someone will have to tell me these things or I'll have to take their word for it. I'm hoping they have a good selection of tea!dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-13706162656111706482008-04-02T21:00:00.002-04:002008-04-02T21:27:02.897-04:00Florida Avenue Market Update<a href="http://dcmud.blogspot.com/">DCmud</a> recently had an an <a href="http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-town-at-capitol-city-neighborhood.html">update</a> on Gateway Market Center Inc.'s (part of Sang Oh Development) development proposal for the northwest corner of the intersection of 4th Street and Florida Avenue, NE. It is a small part of the proposed mini-city, <a href="http://frozentropics.blogspot.com/2006/07/hill-rag-new-town-capital-cityflorida.html">New Town at Capital City Market</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://bisnow.com/">Bisnow</a> has some information about retail developer, Edens & Avant, who is venturing with J Street Development to develop the parcels that J Street has purchased in the area. <br /><br /><blockquote>Steve [Boyle, E&A's mid-Atlantic head] says the Florida Market is the sort of "true urban redevelopment" that comes along once in a blue moon. They've bought 6 parcels already from among 70 owners in the area, aim to get more, and in December closed on DC Farmers Market, a structure with about 50 tenants selling everything from bananas to sneakers. Though still just in an entitlement and zoning, Steve tells us he'd love to see a focus on cultural food, maybe a culinary institute, and a grocery store to lend a neighborhood feel. He loves a little Italian grocery store there called A. Litteri, and wants to preserve it and other mom and pops. "We want to bring the old and the new parts together."</blockquote>It's obvious Sang Oh Development and J Street Development have contrasting visions of how the area will be developed. It will be very interesting to see whether minds will meet or whether compromises can be made. It will also be nice to see the area cleaned up a bit but not to lose its character.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-24388166736208347182008-04-02T20:13:00.002-04:002008-04-02T20:23:13.604-04:00NoMa UpdatesIt's kind of sacrilegious for me to blog and not have a functioning digital camera. Right now, it's all taped up and will occasionally indulge me and take a decent pic but we're hoping to get a new one some time this year. But thanks to <a href="http://imgoph.blogspot.com/">IMGoph</a> for his blog posts (with lots of pics) about construction activity and other sights at NoMa. I'm reposting them below. <br /><br /><a href="http://imgoph.blogspot.com/2008/04/artomatic-2008-cloud-behind-silver.html">Artomatic at Capital Plaza</a><br /><a href="http://imgoph.blogspot.com/2008/04/marriott-update.html">The Mariott</a><br /><a href="http://imgoph.blogspot.com/2008/04/mail-for-washington-gateway.html">Washington Gateway</a><br /><a href="http://imgoph.blogspot.com/2008/04/for-caffeine-junkies.html">Pound Coffee</a>, which by the way is only open until 2 p.m. for the month of April I think. I hope they expand their hours soon. With my schedule, there's no way I'm going to be able to come by when it's open!dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2739002943933020696.post-49561580627976152702008-03-28T23:38:00.008-04:002008-03-29T00:05:29.482-04:00Free Walking Tour of Eckington on April 26!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmwCjaOLuGuDtUUlFsmpLxvbt4uG5VD6u-cAckNVVvVOY6cBEVECqlvgONrTzwtSMkC3wVy_Q9PMhz0WYxNhkGN13UHc__No9B_dgKwG8-XF9nhXBe60uJti1EwC_hPBLpfYnKhoeySMU/s1600-h/Eckington+streetcar2crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmwCjaOLuGuDtUUlFsmpLxvbt4uG5VD6u-cAckNVVvVOY6cBEVECqlvgONrTzwtSMkC3wVy_Q9PMhz0WYxNhkGN13UHc__No9B_dgKwG8-XF9nhXBe60uJti1EwC_hPBLpfYnKhoeySMU/s400/Eckington+streetcar2crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183004839631790162" /></a>Someone on the Eckington listserv noticed this cool picture of an Eckington streetcar in the March 2008 issue of the <a href="http://www.washingtonian.com/index.html">Washingtonian</a>. I subscribe to this magazine so I'm not sure how I missed it! <br /><br />Anyway, Eckington was selected as a Walkingtown DC Weekend Free Tour this year. So to learn more about Eckington and its history, come take the walking tour on <strong>Saturday, April 26, from 1:00-2:30 p.m.</strong>. The details are below:<br /><br /><blockquote>Eckington - 100 Years of Capital Traction<br /><br />Saturday, April 26<br /><br />1 - 2:30 pm<br /><br />Meet outside Florida Avenue exit of New York Avenue Metro Station (Red Line), in front of the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) HQ at the corner of N and 2nd Streets, NE. Tour Ends at the Rhode Island Metro Station (Red Line)<br /><br />Once a tranquil country estate north of Boundary Road, this neighborhood tells the story of Washington's first electric streetcar and maps the expansion of the city along the famous and well worn tracks along the Metropolitan Branch of the B&O Railroad. Visit the former estate of Joseph Gales, Jr., mayor of Washington and publisher of the National Intelligencer and discover neighborhood architectural styles from late Victorian row houses to industrial warehouses. Led by Brian Kraft and presented by the DC Preservation League and the Eckington Civic Association<br /><br />Tour will be held again this Fall, Saturday, September 20 same time, same place.</blockquote><br />Hubby signed us up to volunteer for National Rebuilding Day that day but I'm hoping to sneak out for a bit and join the tour.dcavocadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614537890175510181noreply@blogger.com2