7/23/01:
Dupont Circle park's temporary fences should be down
around mid-August. The $300,000 project includes
replacing and recaulking fountain's basin, new steps
around the fountain, upgrading the plumbing and
mechanical fixtures, new drinking fountains, and pole-
and-chain fences around corners to prevent "cow-paths"
from forming, plus fencing around park's perimeter.
I'm nervous because so far the fencing looks
intrusive and ugly. The Fine Arts Commission was never
asked to review the plans.
See "Dupont Circle remains under wraps,"
http://www.washblade.com/local/a.htm
Legends, new Greek cafe on P St next to the Fireplace,
expected to open soon. Will be run by original owners
of Elite on 17th, who moved back here after brief
return to Greece.
InTowner covers agreement guiding Phillips Collection
expansion. See "Neighbors, The Phillips Reach
Agreement on Expansion Plan; BZA Gives its Approval,"
http://www.intowner.com/fr/issue/stories/story2.htm
WP profiles two antiques shops at 26th & P: Cherry and
East Village Antiques. See "Antiques Times Two,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14625-2001Jul18.html
See also our own Marston Luce at 21st and Newport.
See "The McMexican Connection: And You Thought
Chipotle Was Just Your Friendly Neighborhood Burrito
Joint," (also mentions Dupont's delicious secret, The
Well-Dressed Burrito)
http://www.bizforward.com/wdc/currentissue/account/
Dupont Circle ANC 2B voted unanimously to support bike
lanes for Dupont, but took issue with placing lanes on
15th & 17th Sts. See [3] below for official minutes.
DC Police have helpfully calculated what Chandra Levy
would look like if disguised in an Afro. See
http://www.mpdc.org/News/2001/0107/010713.htm
Levy's last abode was The Newport, 1260 21st St.
Orlando Sentinel devotes Chandra article to Dupont
Circle, saying "Levy found herself in a neighborhood
that complemented her fashionable roots," and
describing Washington Sports Club as "a yuppified hub
for the neighborhood's health-conscious and large gay
population." See "Levy's D.C. neighborhood is anything
but dull," (Includes photo of Professor Chicken.)
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-asec-dupont072101.story
See long-to-load & hard-to-read profile of Dupont
Circle and its history in "My Gayborhood,"
http://www.dconemag.com/July2001/Pages/GayLife.html
Columbia Buzz says Starbucks has a serious interest in
site now occupied by Julio's bar at 16th & U; expected
to use corner entrance and outdoor patio along NH Ave.
R St Starbucks' patio now open.
New store at 1510 U St - Habitat Home Accessories.
Warren Brown, lawyer-turned-baker profiled by WP
("Will Warren Brown Give Up a Promising Legal Career
To Make Cakes?," 3/7/01) and now one of People's 50-
most-eligible bachelors, will open cake shop in former
Amalo Cafe at 15th & U. See
http://people.aol.com/people/magazine/package/0,11546,131882_3,00.html
WBJ profiles Web shop Highwheel Media, which moved
from Adams Morgan to 1400 block of U St. See "Nothing
tells like success,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/07/16/smallb1.html
See also "D.C.'s tech incentives begin to log
successes,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/07/23/story4.html
Third District is keeping an eye on U St nightclubs
Songhai and Kaffa House. See [1] below for message
from Lt Dykes.
See also http://www.mpdc.org/English/districts/3rd/
See also http://www.announce.com/khein/dupont/police.htm
TAG is looking for participants for its "Art Treasure
Hunt" during September around U Street. See [2] below.
More info on $57-million mixed-use residential and
retail complex coming to 15th & P. See "An Open Door
for Development: Duron Deal Clears Way for Logan
Circle Area Mixed-Use Plan,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35157-2001Jul22.html
Washington Video on P finally open, after waiting over
a month for the city to give them a final inspection.
Zipcar's Logan Circle pilot got 34 applicants for 10
slots; full program to be launched in August.
Owner of Peppers plans to transform former Green
Lantern (SE of 14th & Mass) into a sunny neighborhood
bar - "no more chain link." See "Pitch made for Green
Court," http://www.washblade.com/local/010713m.htm
WP looks at 1418 W St, which was bought for $1 by 14
poor families, and claims area is "being transformed
by cappuccino creep." (Where does one go for a
cappuccino at 14th & W? Have the dealers diversified?)
See "In a Slum, Visions of a New Home: Resident-Owners
Seek To Renovate Run-Down Apartment Structure,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47391-2001Jul11.html
See developer's plans for Tivoli complex:
http://www.horningbrothers.com/tivoli/index.htm
WP's review of The Diner: "Talk Around the Clock,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11435-2001Jul17.html
Obelisk owner will open pizzeria "Two Amys" in
Cleveland Park in August.
NW Current reports offers for Tenleytown's old
Hechinger's site include a discount store, an auto
shop & showroom, and a data center. The leading option
is for space to be used by 3 or 4 upscale tenants,
selling things like home furnishings and fashions,
plus 3 or 4 new stories above for residential units.
Jack's Boathouse and Clyde's Restaurant debate future
of Georgetown waterfront park. See "Restaurant, park
service floating controversial plan,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/07/16/focus7.html
Profile of G'town developer. "What pleases Lanier most
is his dream that someday - somehow - Georgetown will
no longer be a drive-through environment. 'We all have
to put our heads together to see if Georgetown should
be a limited-access, pedestrian-oriented environment,
which I think would be great.'" I totally agree. See
"Don't blink. You might miss Anthony Lanier's next big
move in his kingdom of Georgetown,"
http://www.fly2dc.com/articles/2001/2001_06_in1.asp
Artist lofts included in Carroll Square deal, on 900
block of F St. See "D.C. Settles Battle Over Historic
Block: Builder to Preserve Houses, Art Space,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17783-2001Jul18.html
Greyhound will move NY routes to Union Station in Aug
during NY Ave Metro construction; might be permanent.
Redevelopment planned for area between South Cap St &
Fort McNair, encouraged by new life in Navy Yard. See
"DC to push mixed-use, residential for Buzzard Point,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/07/23/story8.html
See also http://www.anacostiawaterfront.net/
WCP looks at Mt Rainier, which is hoping for an artist
loft and a new restaurant from Cafe Luna's owner. See
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/archives/cover/2001/cover0713.html
WBJ reports "Strayer will relocate its Arlington
campus to a new facility atop the Court House Metro."
An online survey is being conducted regarding a
potential community/cultural center for the gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. See
http://www.aplomb.com/DCCenter/
WP looks at sad fate of DC's trees. See "No Safe Arbor
In a City That Won't Organize,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17797-2001Jul18.html
WP published three wonderful articles concerning
density issues in Fairfax county, prodded by the
proposal of a mini-city between Tysons Corner and
McLean, ½ mile from planned Metro stop. See
"Density Debate's Large Stakes: An urban planner aims
to convert suburbanites to his high-rise vision. But
many county residents and politicians just aren't
buying into that view,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14585-2001Jul18.html
See also "Bad Planning Is the Enemy, Not Growth,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14568-2001Jul18.html
See also "High Density A Question Of Balance,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14579-2001Jul18.html
WP also looks at sprawl in Loudoun. See "Loudoun's
Ambitious Search for Perfection: County Aims to Keep
Vast Acreage Rural,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31188-2001Jul21.html
See also "In Loudoun, Farming Serves as a Potent
Symbol: Development Debate Obscures Decline of
Agriculture,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35235-2001Jul22.html
See "From Aye to Aye-yi-yi: The Best-Laid Plans of
Local Officials Sometimes Look Just Awful"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28391-2001Jul20.html
(Although the interior of the Glebe Road Harris Teeter
is beautiful and fun.)
A group is forming called "Scenic DC" to fight new
billboards and other eyesores. (I like a lot of the
new signs downtown, but agree the eligible locations
should be controlled.) See [4] below.
Thursday, July 26: Opening reception for new show at
Kitchen K, "Revealing the Process of Design," 1436 U
St. See [5] below. See also http://www.kitchenk.org/
Saturday, July 28: Rededication of Marilyn Monroe
Mural in Woodley Park, 11am.
July 28 and 29: As part of the "Bicentennial Week at
the Barracks" celebration (yeaaa!), the Marines are
offering free tours of the barracks. Open House on
Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 4 each day. See
http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/200years.asp
Monday, July 30: "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen
of the Desert" at National Theatre's lobby. Free. See
http://www.nationaltheatre.org/Cinema/01schedule.htm
Saturday, August 4: "Day-Old Plays" at Source Theatre.
See http://www.cherryredproductions.com/dayold.htm
August 4 & 5: Mid-City sidewalk sale, along 14th St.
Work hard. Play hard.
Michael
------------------------------------------------------
[1]
I have some good news to all of you who have
complaints against neighborhood bars etc in the PSA
306 area. I will be working with Lt. Groomes of the
new revamped 3D Powershift in an effort to combat
problems that occur at the clubs. We are currently
looking for problems at the Songhai and Kaffa House on
U Street. We are going to be more aggressive in making
ABC reports for violations and complaints. If you have
any specific complaints about the clubs please email
Lt. Dianne Groomes at: psa309lt@hotmail.com She is
also hoping to find a few citizens willing to be
interviewed by ABC Inspectors in ref to any problems
at the above clubs. Take care-Lt. Dykes
------------------------------------------------------
[2]
TAG Art Treasure Hunt: We Want Your Windows!
The Triangle Artists Group will be hosting an Art
Treasure Hunt in the month of September 2001 in the U
Street neighborhood. TAG artists will work with
homeowners and businesses in the U Street corridor to
display art. The exhibits will be viewed in the public
spaces of the neighborhood. Maps of participating
venues will be made available to visitors at the
opening events and in literature displays throughout
the area. All events are free to the public.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
Homes in the blocks north of U, south of Florida,
between 12th and 18th Streets NW. Basically, from U
Street Metro to Franklyn's Coffee House by way of
Meridian Hill Park.
Participating Artists: The show will include TAG and
other area artists. The Triangle Artists Group is a
collective of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and sexual
minority artists in the metropolitan Washington area.
Learn more about at TAG at www.tagdc.org.
WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE?
House tours, house tours, house tours. That is so
1998. We live in a cool neighborhood, with an
amazing history, that we're making better every day.
The Art Treasure Hunt is a great way to introduce your
home and neighborhood to the city. You'll be able to
show off your house or business, meet your neighbors,
and support emerging artists. It will be fun and cool.
You will work with an artist to determine appropriate
content and display. Business owners will work with
artists to determine appropriate display spaces that
do not interfere with flow of your customers. If you
own a private residence, you will not have to allow
the public into your home; all public contact with
artists will be through TAG and cards artists will
show with their work. Work will be displayed between
existing curtains/shades and the window, so your
privacy will preserved. Homeowners will be asked to
light the pieces on display between sundown and 11PM,
to ensure maximum visibility for the art. The show
will be a collaborative effort of the community and
the artists.
OTHER BUSINESS
Sales: Work on display may be for sale, at the
discretion of the artists. Artists will provide price
and contact information discretely at the display. No
homeowner or business will be responsible for sales.
Interested in knowing more? Want to donate your
windows? Please contact the curator, Daniel Emberley,
phone and fax 202-462-7876, e-mail at
riceandpasta@juno.com.
BECAUSE U STREET IS TOO COOL FOR A HOUSE TOUR
------------------------------------------------------
[3] - [ANC 2B Minutes]
A Proposal by the Washington Area Bicyclists
Association for New Bicycle Lanes.
Eric Gilliland of the WABA stated that his group had
been working for a year with the DPW and the DDOT to
devise a plan for bike lanes. The WABA had presented a
report at the last ANC Meeting so that the
Commissioners were familiar with its proposals Chair
Micone stated at the outset that he had concerns with
the changes in the number of lanes on 15th street but
could support the concept of more bike lanes that do
not take away traffic lanes. Comments from the
audience contradicted some of the findings in the Bike
Association's report. It was noted that 17th Street is
quite congested with lots of truck double parking and
a lot of stop and go traffic. Micone moved that ANC 2B
support the concept of bike lanes where possible and
work with the DPW and DDOT in working out those plans
with the exception of 17th street where bike lanes do
not seem feasible.
After a second by Commissioner Morgan the motion was
approved UNANIMOUSLY, there being no NAYS and no
ASTENTIONS and the AYES being UNANIMOUS.
------------------------------------------------------
[4]
Scenic DC Organizing Meeting - Get Rid of New Billboards!
Thursday, July 26th, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
No new billboards have been allowed in the District
for 75 years - until now. The city has approved 31
huge new billboards under the guise of "special
signs." Sharon Ambrose has promised to hold hearings
this fall on the future of these signs. These
billboards will hang in the city forever unless we act
now! Citizens are saying it is high time to form a
Scenic DC group to fight these and other illegal
billboards in the city, to serve as a watchdog and
advocate on other pressing scenic issues in our
nation’s capitol, and to encourage good streetscape
and public space design.
Come help organize Scenic DC and join the fight to rid
the city of these monstrous new billboards!
Please forward this e-mail to everyone you think might
be interested. If you can’t attend the meeting but
would like to be on the e-mail alert list, please
e-mail your contact information to taylor@scenic.org.
Place:
Scenic America, 801 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Suite 300
(across from the Eastern Market Metro)
Time:
Thursday, July 26th
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Contact:
Wendy Taylor
Scenic America
(202) 543-6200 x 15
taylor@scenic.org
Conveners:
Ann Hughes Hargrove, Kalorama Citizens Association
Dick Wolf, Planning and Zoning Chairman, Capitol Hill
Restoration Society
Harry G. Robinson III, FAIA, AICP, Scenic America
Board
Frank Vespe, Scenic America Board
Wendy J. Taylor, Director of Affiliate Development
Scenic America
801 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20003
(ph) 202-543-6200 X15; (fax) 202-543-9130
http://www.scenic.org
------------------------------------------------------
[5]
KITCHEN [K] - A Design Gallery presents "Revealing the
Process of Design," a show that goes behind the scenes
to examine the deliberate decision-making and most
inventive, conceptual and experimental work of graphic
designers, multimedia and web designers, architects,
and industrial designers. The exhibition will be on
display from Friday, July 27 through Friday, August
31, 2001. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday
from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from Noon
until 6:00 p.m. A public opening will be held on
Thursday, July 26, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
KITCHEN [K] - A Design Gallery, 1436 U Street, NW
Suite 100, WDC Free. For more information
202-232-2676 or www.kitchenk.org
In conjunction with the exhibition, KITCHEN [K] will
present "The Main Discourse," a series of gallery
talks to offer additional insight into the conceptual
thinking and problem solving techniques of particular
projects. For three evenings in July and August, a
panel of designers featured in the exhibition will
provide an overview of each project, as well as an in-
depth analysis of specific issues they faced and a
critique of the solutions. For more information
202-232-2676 or www.kitchenk.org
Do you have an appetite for good design?
Visit http://www.kitchenk.org/
info@kitchenk.org
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