4/26/01:
Fuddruckers is building a restaurant at Conn Ave &
Jefferson Place, in former Whatsa Bagel spot (s of N).
Dupont's Crown Books is now effectively "Books a
Million;" expect signs to be replaced mid-May.
Kulturas Two now open at 1706 Conn Ave, in former
Outlook space. New store will sell books exclusively,
while old store will also begin selling clothing.
Construction has begun on "Post Massachusetts Avenue,"
a 15-story, 269-unit luxury apartment tower, on NE
corner of 15th & Mass. (Will include a rooftop pool
and an oriental courtyard.) See
http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=PPS&script=410&item_id=161879
WBJ profiles MassLight, one of few tech companies in
Dupont. See "Techs creep in as District e-volves,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/smallb1.html
Current reports that the Dupont Circle Merchants and
Professional Assoc. (DCMAP) met with mayor's office to
discuss the neighborhood; might try to participate in
the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main
Street program. See http://www.mainst.org/
Logan Circle newsletter reports Fresh Fields will be
adding an outdoor cafe area (and a bike rack). Also
reports that Logan Circle park will receive a
$225,000 facelift, including new benches. See
http://www.logancircle.org/news/news.html
Marc Fisher finished his trilogy of angst on U St.
See "Barber Fears His Demise in U Street Revival,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16959-2001Apr13.html
WP profiles Public Welfare Foundation's restoration of
True Reformers bldg at 12th & U. See "Philanthropists
Bring Renewed Life to Historic Building,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33074-2001Apr18.html
Paul Williams writes about U St projects in The
InTowner, reporting that handsome apartment/retail
project at NW corner of 13th & U will begin
construction late summer. See
http://www.intowner.com/fr/issue/stories/story2.htm
WBJ has a group of articles dealing with DC housing.
See state of housing in "New developments in the
old neighborhood: D.C. searches for way to make both
luxury projects & low-income residents feel at home,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/focus1.html
See Q & A on LeDroit Park revitalization:
"Howard U. president says neighboring LeDroit 'hot',"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/focus2.html
203-unit "Avalon at Gallery Place" coming to 5th
& G. Apartments also planned for 12th & Mass, 9th & E,
4th & Mass, and 405 luxury units at 7th & E. See
"Residential redevelopment moving into Gallery Place,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/focus3.html
See resentful rhetoric in "Shaw residents seek
more below-market rate housing,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/story4.html
Reasonable editorial in WBJ. See "Forcing the market:
D.C. can't afford to ignore market forces in
affordable housing debate,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/editorial1.html
See Richard Seaton's insightful letter re Big Ken
proposals to WP: "Let's Tear It Down and Start Over,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44798-2001Apr21.html
Chevy Chase's Avalon Theatre, the city's longest
continuously operating movie house, could get new
owners. See "Avalon Landlord Gets Time to Find Tenant:
First, Loews Must Sell Equipment,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13399-2001Apr12.html
Plans released for 10-acre convention center site,
hoping for a museum, theater, housing, and a park, and
to reopen 10th & I Streets. See "A D.C. Inner Harbor,
Without Water: Downtown Site Is Mayor's Focus,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13430-2001Apr12.html
See also "Mayor reaches out to developers for
convention site,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/newscolumn11.html
See also "Mayor hopes to lure private developers
with incentives,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/23/newscolumn7.html
Macy's is close to finishing negotiations to open
store in former downtown Woodies building.
Check out super-hip furniture store Vega at 819 7th.
Desolate Southeast Federal Center could become a
jewel. See "Hope on the Waterfront: Public-Private
Plan May Transform 55 Acres in SE,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43932-2001Apr20.html
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative is working to "open
the entire Anacostia riverfront from the National
Arboretum in NE to the fish wharfs in SW. The
District's plans call for pedestrian pathways linking
office complexes, retail centers, neighborhoods and
parks along both sides of the river." See "GSA joins
in Anacostia waterfront revitalization,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/16/focus14.html
The Clarendon Alliance continuously impresses me with
its vision of a livable urban neighborhood (and not
just because the director is an acquaintance). See
"Vision for Urban Design Criteria in Clarendon,"
http://www.clarendon.org/urban/vision.htm
Highlight of above document: "WE BELIEVE that
COMMUNITY IDENTITY is created and maintained by (1)
celebrating arrival points, (2) reinforcing
distinguishing, unique and historical characteristics,
(3) promoting a pedestrian environment, and (4)
incorporating new, peripheral areas and (5) enhancing
the quality of life in the neighborhood."
Regarding point (1), Dupont's "arrival point" is
the P St Bridge leading in from Georgetown. I've
always wished for a "Welcome to Dupont Circle" sign,
perhaps evan as flamboyant as the "Hillcrest" archway
in San Diego. Re (2), the heart of our neighborhood is
clearly the fountain, which is why I had always wished
for underwater lights, and why I'm upset at the NPS's
refusal to consider it, especially given the
construction that's occuring now anyway. It's also a
shame to see Dupont Down Under go to waste. Re (3),
crosswalks are too perilous and should be given
physical changes to make them more pedestrian-
friendly, including stronger markings and curb bulbs.
WBJ reports "Although office development is falling
back to earth due to the economic slowdown, luxury
apartments and condos are still in high demand." See
"No slowdown here: Housing market remains strong,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/04/16/story6.html
Love that MPD is introducing a mounted horse unit. See
"Police Officials Call In the Cavalry: After 70-Year
Absence, D.C. Trains Officers For Horseback Patrols,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A387-2001Apr25.html
Voice of the Hill has a nice article on urban trees.
See "Street Trees: Let 'Em Live,"
http://www.voiceofthehill.com/latest.htm#Trees
Through May 19: "Night of the Chihuahua," a tale of
flea collars and forbidden passions, at Metro Cafe,
starring Lucrecia Blozia. Details below. See WP
review "'Chihuahua': Yo Quiero More Laughs,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55619-2001Apr23.html
Saturday, April 28: U Street 8th Annual Spring Clean
Up, 9am to 2pm. More info below.
Sunday April 29: A park ranger will lead a walking
tour through the formal gardens of Meridian Hill Park
at noon, meeting at 16th & W (free). Read about the
park at http://www.cr.nps.gov/NR/travel/wash/dc48.htm
See also http://www.nps.gov/rocr/cultural/merid.htm
Sunday, April 29: Dupont Circle expat Andrew Newman
shows new oil paintings at Claren Court Studio (2420
Wilson Blvd). Reception from 3 to 6.
Tuesday, May 1: If you work near the Church of the
Epiphany (13th & G), take advantage of the Washington
Bach Consort's free monthly concert (12:10). See
http://www.bachconsort.org/noon.htm
Thursday, May 3: Cesar Chavez School fundraiser at
Duplex Diner. See below.
Friday, May 4: Bike to Work Day, converging on Freedom
Plaza from 8 to 9. Route 7 will depart Mount Pleasant
at 7:30am, picking up cyclists at Dupont around 7:45.
See http://www.waba.org/new/bwd/
May 4 & 5: Flower Mart 2001 on the grounds of the
Washington Cathedral. This year's theme is a salute to
France. Cool event which you should visit. See
http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/events/flowermart.html
May 4 & 5: Second Annual NSO Decorators' Inventory, in
the old Sears/Hechinger's building in Tenleytown, 9-6.
Saturday, May 5: Neighborhood Planning Workshop for
Cardozo-Shaw, Le Droit Park and Howard University at
Cada Vez.
Saturday, May 5: Georgetown Garden Day, sponsored by
the G'town Garden Club. See http://www.gtowngarden.org
Sunday, May 6: Hinckley Pottery student show (my stuff
not included), 1707 Kalorama, noon to 6. See
http://www.hinckleypottery.com/shows/m-shows.htm
Wednesday, May 9: ANC 2B meets at St. Thomas Parish,
7:30pm. I will be presenting the proposal for bike
lanes on 15th & 17th, and Q & R. Wish me luck!
Friday, May 11: "Dupont Circle," the new novel by Paul
Kafka-Gibbons, is released. Described as "a vivacious
comedy of romance in all its contemporary guises. Set
in the nation's capital, it revolves around the city's
busy intersection where old meets young, gay meets
straight, and past meets present."
Saturday, May 12 : Goodwill embassy tour. See
http://www.dcgoodwill.org/pages/special_events_et.htm
Saturday, May 12: "Voices from Dupont Circle" is
being shown on Howard University Television, 10:30pm.
See http://home.earthlink.net/~dliban
Sunday, May 13: Performance of the musical "I Want to
Tell You" at 4:00 pm at St. Thomas' Parish (free).
Sunday, May 13: "Voices from Dupont Circle" is being
shown on "The Independent Eye," on Maryland Public TV.
Monday, May 14: Author Paul Kafka-Gibbons reads from
new "Dupont Circle" novel at Dupont Olsson's, 7pm. See
http://www.olssons.com/cgi-cart/events.pl#22
Saturday June 2: DC Heritage Neighborhood Day.
Best regards,
Michael
------------------------------------------------------
Sweetests,
I'm behind in getting this out to everyone --
Glamonstrosity, Inc. is doing a new show. Yep, we're
just too stupid to quit. Our new show is NIGHT OF THE
CHIHUAHUA. It's a World Premiere, written by local
playwright Jay Olexa and directed by Elizabeth
Pringle. The cast features: Diane Cooper, Kimberley
Cooper, Tony Greenberg, John Horn, Erik Morrision,
Kathleen Wise Pugh, Richard Renfield, Mark Rubin and
yours truly.
NIGHT OF THE CHIHUAHUA is a tale of flea collars and
forbidden passions in which a group of randy
twenty-somethings go for a weekend getaway to a
deserted cabin in the woods. They soon discover that
deadly things come in small packages and their only
hope lies in their abruptly bereft friend Al and
Veronica, the gentile and genetically altered daughter
of mad scientist, Big Daddy. (Guess who I'm playing?).
Anyhoo... the show runs Thurs. - Sat. @ 8:00 PM at
Metro Cafe, 1522 14th St., N.W. through May 19th. It's
a steal at $10. And here's what the Post has to say
about it:
"You might think NIGHT OF THE CHIHUAHUA was
hallucinated by a young Tennessee Williams after he'd
watched every bad horror movie ever made and then
lapsed into a mint-julep coma." "wonderfully
delerious" "just the right touch of perversity".
"grabs your attention and makes you laugh". All right
then, if the Post said it, you know it's true.
Hope to see you soon.
xox
LB
------------------------------------------------------
U STREET 8TH ANNUAL SPRING CLEAN UP
sponsored by:
Community Impact!, U Street Business and Arts
Coalition (UBAC), and the Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood
Association (CSNA).
SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2001 9:00 AM TIL 2:00 PM
STAGING AREA for tools & supplies will be behind the
TRUE REFORMER BUILDING 12th & U Street N.W. We have
$5000 in plants and supplies!
PICNIC at 1:00 will be at the DUKE ELLINGTON MURAL at
the 13th & U Street Metro Station - Hosted and
prepared by The Campbell Heights Residents
Dear U Street Residents and Business Owners,
As this years organizer and coordinator of the 8th
Annual U Street Clean-Up I want to thank you for your
investment of time and resources into our community.
On behalf of the residents of the U Street Cardozo
Shaw area I am requesting your support for this years
event. I want to thank those of you who have supported
this event in the past years. This year we are looking
to rise above last years record total. We are looking
to raise at least $25,000.00 this year. We are also
looking for in kind donations as well. Any tools,
mulch, manpower, tee shirts, caps, food, etc.
We are also asking that on April 28, that you be
responsible for the cleaning of your building and its
surroundings. It would be great if you could have an
empty dumpster for use during the clean-up. DPW will
be providing a graffiti powerwasher, trash bags,
tools, gloves, trash trucks, etc. We are also working
with Washington Parks and People, The Tool Bank,
Community Resources as well as several of the schools
and community centers. Early Sponsors include Ward 1
Councilmember Jim Graham, Advisory Neighborhood
Commission 1-B, and several of the local businesses.
We welcome your sponsorship.
Platinum Sponsor $1,000.00
Gold Sponsor $ 500.00
Sponsor $ 100.00
but we will gladly accept any and all contributions. I
am asking that you reply to this e-mail with the
commitment of what you can contribute.
Your cash donations will provide College Scholarships
for High School Seniors and cash stipends are being
provided for the kids that participate on the day of
the clean up.
Sincerely Yours,
ANC 1B Vice Chair-SMD1B11
Deborah R. Thomas
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE & MATCHED BY A
COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT! PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO
COMMUNITY IMPACT!
To make a contribution contact Deborah Thomas e-mail
deborahanc@juno.com
phone:(202) 265-3871
fax :(202) 462-4288
------------------------------------------------------
On Thursday, May 3, please join me, Adams Morgan
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Josh Gibson, along
with DC School Board member Julie Mikuta, as we
bartend for the night at the 18th and U Duplex Diner!!
All tips will go to the Cesar Chavez School Public
Charter High School for Public Policy. Duplex is at
2004 18th Street (directions below), and the event
will run from 7PM-12:30AM. If you cannot attend, see
below for other ways to give.
This fundraising effort is sponsored by Cocktail
Charities, an Adams Morgan-based charity that has
raised almost $30,000 for various neighborhood
charities. Past celebrity bartenders have included
Councilmember Jim Graham, Councilmember David
Catania, and People Magazine's Seventh Most Eligible
Bachelor in the US. So, I'm in good company!
Cocktail Charities' current record-holding event,
featuring the beloved owners of Toledo Lounge and one
of their baby sons, raised $2,605 for the beloved
Coaching for College project. All this being true, we
are looking forward to kicking some beloved butt by
breaking this nine-month-old record. Rumor has it
that two of the more legislatively-inclined former
guest bartenders mentioned above may be considering a
co-bartending stint to set a new record sometime soon,
so let's make sure we set the bar as high as possible.
For more on Cocktail Charities, see
http://www.cocktailcharities.org
I'm a Master of Public Policy graduate of the John F.
Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and
a current ANC Commissioner. Julie Mikuta is Rhodes
Scholar, Teach for America alum, former SEED Public
Charter School administrator and teacher, and a young
and promising member of the newly-reconfigured DC
Board of Education. So, it's logical that we'd team
up to raise funds for the Cesar Chavez School Public
Charter High School for Public Policy. For more on
Julie's background, see
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/dc/elections/sb1/index.htm#mikuta
The Chavez School is a charter high school that was
founded in September 1998 by Irasema Salcido, the
current principal. Ms. Salcido has received numerous
awards, including the "Principal of the Year" Award
from the DC Charter School Resource Center, the 1999
"Caring Award" from the Caring Institute, and, most
recently, the "Use Your Life Award" from Oprah
Winfrey's Angel Network©. The school's curriculum
focuses on public policy, taking advantage of the rich
resources of the Washington, D.C. area to help
motivate the students to learn more about how to
better the future for themselves and their
communities. For more information about the school go
to http://www.cesarchavezhs.org/
As its name indicates, the 18th and U Duplex Diner is
located near the intersection of 18th Street and U
Street, (and Florida Avenue) at the southern corner of
Adams Morgan. The best way to get to the Duplex Diner
is by taking Metro. Take Metro to the Dupont Circle
station, use the north/Q Street exit, then head
north/uphill on Connecticut Avenue. Continue for about
five minutes, then turn right on Florida Avenue. Turn
left on 18th Street, and Duplex will be a block up on
the left.
If you cannot attend the event, but you are still
interested in helping out, please send a check made
out to Cocktail Charities to Josh Gibson, 1801 Wyoming
Ave, NW, #25, Washington, DC 20009.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at
joshgibson@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu. Or call
202-483-1764. (Realize that I'll be out of town until
May 1, but I'll get back to you as soon as I get
back...)
Thanks!
Josh
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