5/24/01:

New Mexican restaurant Baja Fresh opening June 1 on NH
Ave above Buffalo Billiards. http://www.bajafresh.com/

Washington Video opening a new store June 1 in former
Safelite auto glass shop, 1435 P St, across from FF.

Nifty background info on Fresh Fields (which recently
opened a store in Manhattan). See "How health food 
groceries became a billion-dollar business," 
http://www.icsc.org/srch/sct/current/page26.html

Former Haute space, a few doors east of FF, is slated
to become "Ozone Gallery."

Cobalt reopening date not known, but work is almost
done. In August, the downstairs restaurant will open 
as "Charlie's," named after owner's boyfriend.
   JR's expansion should start when Cobalt is done. 
 
I shudder to report that Johns Hopkins University is
trying again to get Metro to rename our Metro station
"Dupont Circle/Johns Hopkins University."
   Our namesake in Paris last had a station name 
rebaptisée (renamed) in 1998, when "Rue Montmartre" 
became "Grands Boulevards". It was changed because the
station was not near Montmartre. (Kind of like how 
Pentagon City doesn't take you to the Pentagon. I dare
Metro to rename Pentagon City "Fashion Center.") The 
longest name in the Parisian Métro is "Roissy/Aéroport
Charles de Gaulle 2/TGV," still not long enough to 
challenge our own contender.  

Pasta restaurant Kuna now open on U, east of Bar Nun.

89-yr-old Cleveland Elementary at 8th & S is beginning
a 2-year, $8½ million restoration. The National Trust 
for Historic Preservation named the school (with its 
brick floors and 17-inch-thick interior walls) as 
representative of historic neighborhood schools.  

Adams Morgan is planning a house tour for April '02, 
reviving a tradition dropped ages ago.  See [1] below.

See March '01 article on new womens clothing shops:
"Adams Morgan gets FUNKIER? A High-End Retail Revolu-
tion in Adams Morgan Spurs Small-Time Entrepreneurs,"
http://www.bizforward.com/archives/2001-03/launchpad/index.shtml

Golden Triangle BID is starting "Music In the Park," a
summer concert series in Farragut Park every Thursday
at noon, beginning June 7.  
 
WP covers mayor's plan to make DC more bike-friendly,
including completing NE's Metropolitan Branch Trail in
about 5 years and expanding our 2½ m's of bike lanes.
See "For Cyclists, a More Open Road? City Vows to End
Long Legacy of Neglect Toward Biking Community,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A66052-2001May23.html

See Q&A with DC's new bike coordinator:
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/01/metro_sebastian052401.htm

WP looks at Friday Morning Beach Club's efforts to 
restrict non-rush-hour autos along upper Beach Drive.
See "Rock Creek Cyclists Fight for Pedal Parity,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47346-2001May18.html

G-town had a fun birthday party. See "Georgetown's 
Grand Old Party: History and Hoopla Combine as D.C.'s 
First Neighborhood Celebrates Its 250th,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53352-2001May20.html

Neam's, the lamented Georgetown corner grocery store 
at Wisc & P which was the cutest in the city, is now
home to a Marvelous Market in the west half, and 
tomorrow The Proper Topper will open in the east.

Before G'town was sucked into DC, N St between Rock 
Creek and Wisc Ave was called Gay Street. West of Wisc
Ave (then High St) it was called First St. An 1895 act
of Congress forced adoption of the district's street 
naming conventions. 

This summer Pepco will begin a 4-year project to
reduce the threat of exploding manholes. See
"Underground Georgetown to Be Rewired," 
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60064-2001May22.html

Update on proposal for large parcel at 5th & K - see
"Wax museum site's RFP seeks affordable housing,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/05/21/story7.html

See photo gallery "Downtown: The Heart of Change," 
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/photo/metro/G15928-2001May11.html

Mr. Lewis writes a clear mandate for proper sidewalks.
See "Paving Sidewalk Designs With Good Intentions,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45576-2001May18.html
 
More info on car-sharing. Arlington County and City of
Alexandria plan to start Zipcar program in July; Metro
will begin pilot program this fall with ZipCar or
FlexCar. See "Metro Plans Car-Sharing Test Drive: 
Passengers Could Take Rentals From Stations,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26837-2001May14.html
   ZipCar has a Web page where you can let them know 
there's interest in your neighborhood. See 
http://www.zipcar.com/notify.jsp

Wal-Mart is mulling seven spots in DC, including two
Sam's Clubs.
   I'm happy K-mart's coming to NE. I wouldn't mind a 
Target, and I'd love an Ikea, Eatzi's or Trader Joe's.
But Wal-mart? Isn't everyone else fighting to keep 
them out of town? The city needs to pay more attention
to the needs of local merchants like Home Rule and 
Urban Essentials, starting with basics like keeping
drug thugs off the streets, fighting nuisance crimes,
and fair enforcement of parking. See "In Las Vegas,
Williams Tries to Sell Chain Stores on the District,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63026-2001May22.html
   See also "Williams Shops for Retailers: In Las 
Vegas, Mayor Fights D.C.'s Crime-Marred Image,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A67669-2001May23.html

Fairfax approved high-density offices and apartments
adjacent to four proposed Metro stops in the Dulles 
corridor (Whiele Ave; Reston Parkway; near Herndon-
Monroe Park and Ride; near Fox Mill Road). See 
"Fairfax Increases Development Near Future Rail Line,"
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57842-2001May21.html

Crystal City überlord Charles E. Smith is proposing to
build sidewalks - gasp! - and convert ground-level
office space into book stores and clothing boutiques.
See "Retail makeover could help Crystal City sparkle,"
http://www.washtimes.com/business/default-2001518224650.htm

Gingko Gardens, adorable newish nursery at 11th & I SE
which I wish would come to 14th St, is seeking part-
time employees. See [2] below.

Art Night returns next week, Thursdays beginning May
31. Freer, Sackler, African Art, and Hirshhorn remain
open until 8pm. Special events listed at 
http://www.si.edu/activity/artnight/
   Screen on the Green (free outdoor movies by the 
Washington Monument) will return Mondays in summer, 
starting July 9 with "An American in Paris."

Through June 30: "Seven Deadly Dwarves," by Cherry Red
at Metro Cafe. See [3] below.

Wednesday, May 30: Kalorama Citizens Assoc 
Preservation Task Force resumes monthly series of 
walks around historic Holt House, in the National Zoo,
starting at Pierce Park at 6pm. See [4] below.

Saturday, June 2: Columbia Heights Community 
Marketplace opens, 8am - 1pm, by the Metro stop. See 
http://innercity.org/chcm/home.htm

June 2: DC Heritage Neighborhood Day, offering free
tours in neighborhoods all over the city. See 
http://www.dcheritage.org/dch_tourism2608/dch_tourism_show.htm?doc_id=56163

June 2: US Postal Service Capital Cup: bike race along
Virginia Ave, between the Watergate and the Wash Mon.
First year for this Pro Cycling Tour event. 
See http://www.arlingtonsports.org/cap_cupreva.html

June 2/3: Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend - ten 
museums (incl The Phillips) open their doors for free,
and provide a looping shuttle bus. See 
http://www.dkmuseums.com/

Sunday, June 3: Celebrate Mt Pleasant Festival, 10-6.

June 3: House Tour, 1-5, $15. See "Mt Vernon Square
East to Reveal Itself During Tour of Homes & Gardens,"
http://www.intowner.com/fr/issue/stories/story1.htm

June 3: AIDS March. See http://www.aidsaction20.org/

June 4 - 10: Capital (gay) Pride; events will 
hopefully be posted at http://www.capitalpride.org/

June 4/5: Two-day, four-film mini-festival. See
http://www.reelaffirmations.org/pride/schedule.cfm

June 10: Capital Pride parade, 11am. Street festival
starts at noon.

Best regards,
Michael
------------------------------------------------------
[1]
   From: Karr 
Subject: KCA Newsletter: Adams Morgan House Tour

Greater Adams Morgan House Tour

    At its April meeting, the KCA passed unanimously a
resolution to endorse an Adams Morgan House Tour,
planned for April 2002. The last tour in this
community took place over twenty years ago. Since
October, a steering committee has been meeting 
monthly, and envisions the tour as follows:
    This house tour is a little different. First, it
stretches the notion of house to include coops, condos
and rentals so as to reflect the diverse types of
homes found in our community. Second, in the spirit
of community building, It will also showcase community
sights, services and history in order to give a wider
perspective on what makes Adams Morgan so special. All
proceeds from the house tour will be put back into the
community through the KCA. Lots of help is needed from
KCA members and from the community at large.

Get involved by attending the upcoming meetings 7 PM:
June 6, July 5, and August 1. Some of the specific
ways you can help out include the following:
    HOUSE LOCATIONS: We are looking to enlarge the
list from which we will choose the most representative
residences of our community. Specifically, we are
looking for residences in such grand old coops as the
Ontario, Wyoming, and Altamont. We also need several
single family homes, including some located within the
Kalorama Triangle Historic District.
VOLUNTEERS: We need help with identifying Community
Alliances, self-formed groups based in and
contributing to our neighborhood, such as the Biltmore
Triangle Garden, Urban Rangers, Dog Walkers, etc.
    We need HOUSE CAPTAINS: the people who take charge
of each location, from communicating with the
homeowner to coordinating the house docents on the day
of the tour.
We also need COMMUNITY CHRONICLERS: old timers and
newcomers both who want to start gathering the facts
and legends that define Adams Morgan which we will
integrate into the tour and the tour booklet.
    And, we need FUND RAISERS: the good folks who will
find all the sponsors, patrons and advertisers who
will fund this whole endeavor!
    To volunteer your home, your help, or exchange
vital information (like meeting locations), please
contact: Linda Ingram (202.234.1719 lingram@wrma.com),
Mitch Story (202.265.9472 GetStory@aol.com)

This article appeared in the May 2001 newsletter of
the Kalorama Citizens Association.  Contact Larry Karr
(Kalorama.Citizens@Verizon.net) for more information
on KCA.
------------------------------------------------------
[2]
   From: "Matthew E. Roberts"  
Subject: Ginkgo is growing...   

...too big for its britches. Help!

Calling all gardeners, calling all gardeners. An all 
points bulletin to the greater Washington area - 
staffing shortage at Ginkgo Gardens.

Ideal applicant: knowledgeable in the plant
department, retail experience, able to work weekends.
Willing to interview: anyone with half a grain of 
sense who'll actually show up to work. 30-40 hours a
week but willing to take on someone who wants less. 
Preferably all day Monday and Tuesday as well as two 
weekends a month. H2O-ing plants, pricing flats of 
impatiens, manning the cash register, advising 
customers, arranging terracotta, re-potting shrubs and
the inevitable schlepping of mulch. Employees receive
a store discount! Get a tan, a workout and an 
horticultural education while being paid.

If you know anyone who might fit the above (summer 
worker is okay and perhaps even preferred), then 
please have them call Matthew Roberts at 202/543-5172.

Ginko Gardens
Your Urban Garden Center on Capitol Hill
------------------------------------------------------
[3] - [edited]
CHERRY RED PRODUCTIONS
"Cherry Red Productions never ceases to shock and 
amaze!" - Wash Post

SEVEN DEADLY SINS!!
SEVEN ADORABLE DWARVES!!
SEVEN NASTY LITTLE PLAYS!!

For SEVEN DEADLY DWARVES, Cherry Red enlisted seven of
D.C.'s most versatile scribes to participate in a 
stunningly original and vastly important enterprise: 
the artistic hybridization of Snow White's seven 
dwarves and the Seven Deadly Sins.
 
Each playwright drew, from a hat, one sin and one 
dwarf. Then, he or she penned a 10-to-15-minute Cherry
Red-esque playlet splicing the deadly sin with the 
adorable dwarf.

The final step was to recruit seven sleazy directors
and ten brave little actors to bring the deadly 
dwarves to life.

The results aren't pretty. But they're definitely 
entertaining.

SEVEN DEADLY DWARVES
May 24-June 30
Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8:00 p.m.
Doors open at 7:15 p.m.
Metro Café, 1522 14th St., NW
(Between P & Q. Dupont metro.)
$10 Thurs, $15 Fri and Sat

For tickets or additional info, call (202) 675-3071, 
or visit: http://www.cherryredproductions.com

Who's doin' what with who:

CARMINA PIRANHA                     (Grouchy, avarice)
by Anton Dudley
directed by Jeff Keenan
   Armande and Joyce are hosting a party for their 
snobby friends.  Too bad they're babysitting their 
neighbor's stinky, unhappy pet piranha. Opera lovers 
take a hit in this biting satire. 

BOXING ENNUI                            (Happy, sloth)
by Claudia Alick
directed by Kamilah Forbes
   Wanna kill yourself? We've got your number. Sex, 
death, self pity, and an oddly aggressive mime. What 
could be more of a turn on?  

ALLERGIC ERECTION                       (Sneezy, lust)
by Chris Griffin
directed by Steven Scott Mazzola
   Nobody is quite who they seem to be at the doctor's
office this morning. And that makes Billy one very 
very very (very!) happy little boy.  

CAREFUL NOW                            (Bashful, envy)
by Paul Donnelly
directed by Michole Biancosino
   Everyone wants love and attention. But, just how 
far will plain-Jane Stacie go to get it? And will her
friends go along for the ride? 

MORNING BECOMES OLESTRA             (Sleepy, gluttony)
by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
directed by Lofty Durham
   Listen up, Kiddies! Wanda Hogsworth has always been
a resourceful woman. She could probably go places if 
her fatass husband weren't holding her back. Well, 
things are about to take a terrifying turn at the 
Hogsworth home. 

THE MOST FOUL TRADGEDY OF NICO AND NARCOTIC
by Emily Rems                          (Dopey, vanity)
directed by Jennifer Ambrosino
   Nico finds her brutal pimp, Narcotic, spellinding.
Trouble is, his voodoo-practicin' g.f., Junebug, is a 
'castin' spells of her own. Spells so strong that even
Nico's best friend, a fettish-pleasin' Princess Di, 
can't unspin them. Or whatever. 

DOC GETS IT IN THE END                    (Doc, wrath)
by Ian Allen
directed by Brian Smith
   Carla's doctor appointment is threatening to make
her late for her spinning class. What's a black-souled
yuppie bitch to do? Pitch a fit, of course!  

Hotline: (202) 675-3071
http://www.cherryredproductions.com
------------------------------------------------------
[4]
   Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 16:21:08 -0400
   From: Karr 
Subject: KCA Newsletter: Holt House Tours

    Starting Wednesday, May 30, the KCA Preservation
Task Force resumes its popular series of walks around
historic Holt House, located on the grounds of the
National Zoo overlooking Walter Pierce Park. Walks
will be offered every last Wednesday of the month,
from May through August, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. We
start at the west side of Walter Pierce Park, by the
picnic tables under the trees. The walks are FREE and
take place rain or shine.
    Last season over 150 people joined us for these
one-hour sunset walks to learn about this early 1800s
house, its condition and the preservation process, as
well as about its links to 19th-century industry along
Rock Creek and to the history of slavery in the
nation’s capital.
        Built in the early 1800s, Holt House is a rare
example of the Classical Revival style in Washington
and, since 1973, has been listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Under the stewardship of
the National Zoo since 1890, and used as
administrative offices until the 1970s, the house has
been vacant and boarded up for the past dozen years.
Its severely deteriorated condition has caused the
D.C. Preservation League to place Holt House, for
three years in a row, on its List of Ten Most
Endangered Places of Washington.
    In 2000, the Kalorama Citizens Association (KCA)
formed the Holt House Preservation Task Force (HHPTF)
to help save Holt House by raising public awareness
through community outreach and by building an alliance
of other community groups and city organizations that
support the restoration of the property.
    For more information, contact: Wanda Bubriski,
Chair, HHPTF, 232.6113, wbubriski@yahoo.com or,
Barbara Bates, Vice-Chair, HHPTF, 244.2090,
bbates9@juno.com