11/28/01:

Historical Society HQ at NH Ave & Newport is for sale
for $9.9 million. See "Society Gives Up on 1894 House:
Sale Threatens Heurich Mansion's Future as Museum,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31774-2001Nov14.html

Golden Triangle BID will be putting new benches and 
trash bins in Longfellow Park (by M, Conn & 18th).

New womans shoe boutique Bev Martin opened at 20th & 
L. See [1] below.

WBJ says Xando Cosi is adding two new locations on K 
St, at 1501 and 1875, expected to open by year-end.

Benjamin Forgey reviewed the new glass-box HQ for the
Institute for International Economics, at 1750 Mass 
Ave. See "A Clear Alternative off Dupont Circle,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43781-2001Nov16.html

HRC will pay $9.8 million for building at 17th & RI 
Ave, and will spend about $11 million to renovate it.
See "HRC signs contract for purchase of B’nai B’rith
building," http://washblade.com/national/011116e.htm

On same RI Ave block, a new 11-story building includes
dorms for 300 government studies students. See "U of 
California system slides into new East Coast digs,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/11/26/newscolumn7.html

New Topaz bar got favorable reviews (including notice
that "the lights really do fade ... from blue to green
to purple"). Quoth the Post: "delicious cocktails, a 
highly variable crowd and a small-but-clever menu." 
See http://eg.washingtonpost.com/profile/1067031/
   See also http://www.topazhotel.com/

The group which planned to transform 4 Dupont hotels
into hip boutiques, starting with the Topaz, has 
halted plans for two of them, though the Rouge on 16th
above Scott Circle will still open in December. The 
two on hold are the 82-room Clarion Hampshire House at
1310 NH Ave, and the 184-room Howard Johnson on RI Ave
near 14th St. See "D.C. Hotel Developer's Upscale 
Hopes Hit Downturn Reality,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13747-2001Nov25.html

17th St's TrueValue store expected to expand space.

Bang Salon has been unveiled (next to Results) and 
looks fabulous; will open shortly. On other side of 
Results building, plans for Hushi have been replaced 
with "Health Bar." Operator Capitol City Brewery is 
soliciting ideas for recipes and such.

WCP ran story on efforts to remove whorehouse from 3rd
floor of 1712 14th St. See "Smooth Operator: Why Can't
the City Put a Nude Massage Parlor out of Business?"
http://washingtoncitypaper.com/archives/cover/2001/cover1116.html

14th St is looking to be the neighborhood's first 
street with bike lanes, starting up north in 
Brightwood Park from Kennedy, down south to Columbia 
Heights, and eventually down to Thomas Circle. More 
lanes likely on 13th St between Florida and U.

Adams Morgan has a new Internet lounge, at Studio 2412
on 18th St above New Orleans cafe. See [2] below.

Today new Christmas lights were hung from lampposts in
Adams Morgan, in shapes such as coffee mugs, musical
notes, martini glasses and high heel shoes.

City extended the deadline again for 7 lots around the
Columbia Heights Metro Station at 14th and Irving. A 
short list of finalists will be chosen by mid-January.
The two larger lots awarded in '99 to Horning Bros 
have not yet seen any construction. See "More 
developers sought with another city extension,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/11/19/newscolumn4.html

WT reports Giant will be replacing vendors in the old
market building at 7th & O, across from parking lot.

WBJ reports two finalists for convention center hotel
are a 1,400-room Marriot on Mass Ave, west of the 
center, and a 1,350-room Hilton at NY Ave and 7th St.
See "'Two-horse' hotel race,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/11/12/tidbits.html

WP writes about competing plans for site east of new
convention center, to be awarded December 15. See "New 
Dwellings Envisioned on City-Owned Lot: Proposals for 
5th and K NW Include Theater and Stores,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64315-2001Nov21.html

WBJ reports on progress of "Gateway Georgia Avenue" 
revitalization, including pending arrival of 
Montgomery College's street-front presence as part of 
their $88 million expansion. Starbucks could also move
in. See "Buy Georgia! Momentum builds in creation of a
new, retail-friendly attitude on Georgia Avenue,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/11/12/story5.html
   See official site at http://www.gatewaycdc.com/
   See also 
http://planning.dc.gov/project/georgia_avenue/index.shtm

More info on $27.5 million complex at Michigan Ave and
Irving St NE. See "District parking lot to become $27M
conference center,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/11/19/story6.html

WP article shows that abandoned houses, and a city 
government which breeds neglect, are a scourge across 
the city. A 75-year-old mother in NE "worries so much 
about undesirable people attracted by abandoned houses
that she is afraid to be alone at their home." A group
in Trinidad presented the city with a list of 100 
houses that are abandoned and dilapidated. See 
"Trinidad Seeks City Help With Run-Down Buildings,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64320-2001Nov21.html

VOTH reports on change in legal status of Eastern 
Market. See "D.C. Superior Court Rules Against Eastern
Market Corporation,"
http://www.voiceofthehill.com/latest.htm#EM

WBJ looks at hotel projects which are being turned 
into residential projects. The Yale Steam Laundry site
in the 400 block of NY Ave NE is switching from a 340-
room luxury hotel to 200 apartments. Three other hotel
projects which might switch are at 12th & K, 10th & NY
Ave, and 5th and Mass Ave. See "D.C. hotel developers
ponder house-hunting instead,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/11/12/story8.html

WBJ writes about theatres' roles as neighborhood 
catalysts, looking at Studio Theatre, the Tivoli, and
the underutilized 1,400-seat Lincoln Theater. See
"Renovated theaters take on expanded roles,"
http://washington.bcentral.com/washington/stories/2001/11/12/focus1.html

See "Delays, Cost Grow For Dulles Rail Link: Rep. 
Wolf Pressures Va. To Move Project Ahead,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37522-2001Nov15.html

A reminder to everyone to support our local stores
for your holiday shopping! See [3] below for ideas.

See [4] below for true crime stories from Lt Dykes.

In addition to new College Park store, WP says IKEA 
plans on new stores in Arlington and Gaithursburg.

Through December 2: Tax-free shopping in DC on
items such as clothing, footwear and accessories
costing $100 or less per item. Rather than a klugey, 
arbitrary 10-day tax holiday, DC could become more 
attractive by having a more competitive rate year-
round. The DC rate of 5.75% is conspicuously higher
than Virginia's 4.5% rate and Maryland's 5% rate.
   The restaurant tax is even further out of line,
with DC's rate 10%, VA's 8.5%, and MD's just 5%.
   The Washingtonian compared overall tax rates in an
April '01 article, where DC took a bigger bite than 
our neighboring counties. See "Best Tax Deals,"
http://www.washingtonian.com/schools/besttaxdeals.html

Tonight: Public safety meeting for residents of PSA's 
307, 308, and 309. See [5] below.

November 29 - December 9: Washington Jewish Film
Festival. See http://www.wjff.org/

Thursday, November 29: "Project Y Dance Your Pants 
Fundraiser" at U St's Velvet Lounge. See [6] below.

Friday, November 30: "Waking Up to AIDS in DC--1981 &
1982," Sumner School at 6:30. Sponsored by the Rainbow
History project. See [7] below. See also
http://www.rainbowhistory.org/AidsChronology.htm

December 1 & 2: Jill Hinckley's holiday show & sale.
See http://www.hinckleypottery.com/shows/m-shows.htm

Saturday, December 1: "Neighborhood Action Forum -- 
Beyond Citizen Summit II," JW Marriott Hotel, 8:30 am 
- 1:00 pm. See http://www.neighborhoodaction.dc.gov/

December 1: WABA Auction & Party at Results, 7-10. See
http://www.waba.org/new/content/auction.php

Sunday, December 2: Logan Circle house tour. See
http://www.logancircle.org/news/news11a.html

December 2: Farmers Market will be selling Christmas
trees, poinsettias, and dried herb and floral wreaths,
not to mention chocolate raspberry truffles.

Monday, December 3: Winter Festival of Lights begins
downtown, with new lighting promised for Wilson and
Market Square buildings.

Thursday, December 6: "Charity Begins at Home," a 
night of private shopping at Urban Essentials to 
benefit Food & Friends. $25, 7-10pm. See 
http://www.foodandfriends.org/html/events.htm

Friday, December 7: Opening reception at Ozone Studio
for "Travelogue: Distance and Disposition," 
photographs by Michael Benson, 5 - 10 pm, 1404 P St.

December 7: First Friday, Dupont galleries open house.
See http://www.washingtonprintmakers.com/friday.html

December 8 & 9: NoMA Arts Coalition open house - 33
artists in 3 buildings. Worthwhile! See [8] below.

Tuesday, December 11: US Botanic Garden reopens, 10am.
See http://www.aoc.gov/projects/usbg_cons/bg010524.htm

Friday, December 14: Fresh Fields celebrates their 1-
year anniversary with the Thomas Circle Singers, 6-7.

Best regards,
Michael 
------------------------------------------------------
[1]   
We are a new Women's Shoe Store in town located at 
2001 L. St., N.W. Suite 130. The entrance to our store
can be accessed  from 20th Street.  We specialize in 
exclusive footwear for women in the price range of 
$88.00 - $250.00. Our casual shoes price range is 
$58.00 - $68.00. All of our selections come from 
Italy, Spain and Brazil.  Most designers that we carry
are not currently being sold in the Washington 
Metropolitan and we plan to keep it that way.  Some of
the Designer names we sale that are not in the 
Washington Metropolitan area are as follows:

Basilio Quadrini
Gomez Rivas
American Studio

All shoes are of high quality leather and distinctive
styles. Conservative, elegant and party funky shoes 
and boots.
------------------------------------------------------
[2]   
STUDIO 2412's REINCARNATION

Studio 2412, located at 2412 18th Street, above the 
New Orleans Cafe, reopens its doors this Wednesday at
noon.
   Again, it promises to be a groovy, but 
unpretentious, space with high-speed Internet access,
perhaps with some additional Kinko's-like services to
come.
   A few technology-related courses are also offered 
through the Studio.
   The major difference, as compared to what Studio 
2412 was before it closed for renovations, is that now
anyone can use the studio's equipment and Internet 
access on a walk-in, pay-as-you-go basis (payable in 
half-hour increments). You no longer have to be a pre-
screened, monthly dues-paying member to be a part of 
the Studio 2412 scene, although monthly membership is
still an option. Essentially, Studio 2412 has become a
publicly accessible high-speed Internet lounge in the 
heart of Adams Morgan.
   Moreover, the space has been renovated and uniquely
redecorated. After climbing the stairs to the second 
floor (where a Rasta commune once was), you walk into
an Asian indoor stone garden with an actual stone path
on the floor and bamboos leaning against the wall.  To
your right is a small conference/party room with a fax
machine, etc. On the walls, photographs from starved, 
war-torn and poverty-stricken areas of the world 
remind you about the world OUT THERE and how lucky you
are BEING HERE despite everything that might bother 
you (but also challenging to think how you can help 
those OUT THERE).  On the opposite end of the floor, 
overlooking 18th Street, is a cluster of PCs connected
to the Internet, plus some specialized video-editing 
workstations.  A sound room is one floor up.
   Despite the changes in membership policy, Studio 
2412 has retained its original Adams-Morganian appeal.
Over the last year, the studio's rooms have served the
community as a casual base in which a bunch of local 
artists, laid-back technologists, dreamers and just 
any neighbors who happened to find out about it and 
well as occasional tourists from foreign countries and
the suburbia commingled, argued, flirted, discussed 
serious ideas, composed music, brainstormed all kinds 
of projects and -- inevitably -- came up with new 
things to do and new things to say, which is what it's
all about -- periodically checking their email or 
browsing the Web, for more inspiration or just to say 
hi to a friend or Mom or Dad.  The new open-for-all 
policy might make the Studio even more popular.
   This late bloomer of the Internet revolution is a 
tough survivor. Whether by choice or necessity, Studio
2412 hasn't had a chance to burn investors' dollars 
indiscriminately, nor did it succumb to the temptation
of unlimited credit funding, which in the recent past
did initially over-oxygenate many viable Internet-
related initiatives, only to suck the air out of them
later.  I have watched how the Studio's founders -- 
Stefan, Liv, Vaughn, Dobromir and others -- toiled to 
keep their idea alive. In addition to artistic talents
and technological know-how, a lot of hard physical 
labor went into restoring that place and turning it 
into what it is now.  It's pretty impressive!
   So please stop by Studio 2412 when you walk down 
18th Street on Wednesday or any day after that.
   Studio 2412 is open to the public from noon until 
10 in the evening, starting on November 28.
------------------------------------------------------
[3] 
When shopping for Christmas, please remember to 
support local merchants who help make Dupont a 
vibrant, unique neighborhood. If you're new to the
neighborhood, be sure to visit the local favorites!
These include Ginza, Teaism, Coffee and the Works, The
Left Bank, Rock Creek, Simply Home, Universal Gear,
Reincarnations, Millenium, UrbanEssentials, Home Rule,
Go Mama Go!, and all the local bookstores which make 
Dupont more than just a place to eat and drink.
------------------------------------------------------
[4]  
From:    "Lt. Dykes" 
Subject: Message from Lt. Dykes
Date:    Mon, 26 Nov 2001 

3D Arrests and other crime related info:

Fitzroy Innis - picked up by Darrell Valdez.  Facts:  
2 or 3 guys rob at shotgun point 2 females.  Robbers 
flee.  We get one (the defendant) and he tells Regan 
where the shotgun was (recovered); where the car was 
(recovered) where he lives (search warrant to be 
executed) and who the other two persons who 
participate in robberies with him (we ID them and will
do search warrants in their houses).  Defendant's 
statement is on videotape. Great Job Regan!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenyon Riddick - picked up by Jim McGovern.  Facts:  
Riddick and a juvenile robbed a guy.  Both Riddick and
the juvenile had BB guns. Rocco and Patrick stop 3 
guys matching the description. Two were ID'd by the CW
(D and the juvenile). The juvenile then told police 
where the BB guns were and the guns were recovered by 
the police.  The juvenile was then no papered by Corp 
counsel (I called Dave Rosenthal and he was unaware 
that the juvenile gave a statement - the juvie is too 
young to Title 16, but Corp Counsel will reconsider 
the case if I can get the case flushed out a little).
Riddick also had a robbery case from April that was 
nopapered. I'm ordering that from closed files.  
Detention hearing Friday.

Kyle Miller - picked up by Jim McGovern.  CPWL. Miller
stabbed our HU student victim in the back when the 
victim tried to pass fake money to Miller in exchange
for drugs.  John Regan began an investigation and the 
victim called on a second sighting after Miller tried
to enter a HU dorm with a back pack and was refused.  
The police couldn't get Miller, but did get the 
backpack out of a car with an AK47 in it.  Another
assault weapon was also found in the car.  2 Guys were
arrested and charged in District Court in that case. 
Regan found out that Miller had a traffic and 
probation warrant on him.  McGee later saw Miller 
walking into Ben's Chili Bowl and stopped him. After a
struggle, McGee and Regan found a gun on Miller.   
Detention hearing is kicked over til Tuesday.  Great 
job Regan and McGee!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edward Morgan - picked up by Asuncion.  McGee's 
carjacking case from PSA 306.  Woman in car stops is 
stopped in traffic and defendant jumps in the car and 
makes woman drive.  She manages to jump out of the car.
He is stopped later in the car and taken to the 
hospital for mental observation (PCP intoxication 
likely) and then released.  McGee gets his picture and
she pops him in a spread. Morgan was in front of Judge
Campbell today for a revocation hearing on an Escape 
charge.  McGee is going to get a booking order today;
paper him tonight. We'll have to keep track of when 
the detention hearing is.  If it's Friday I'll handle 
it.

There's also a NSID arrest for the manager of Rick's 
Pool hall in 6th Street near Florida Avenue.  This 
place has been a problem for a long time and Jeff 
Bruce finally got a good case out of there.  I think 
that case will go GJ, but I want Darrell Valdez to 
monitor the GJ work.

FYI 2002.
------------------------------------------------------
[5]  
November Dupont Circle Public Safety Meeting
Wednesday, November 28, 2001; 7:30 pm
Dupont Circle Resource Center
#9 Dupont Circle, NW

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY BY MAKING IT 
SAFER! (Tentative Agenda)

-- Overview of Crime Trends in the Dupont Circle 
   Neighborhood
-- Open Forum
-- Breakout Meetings for PSA 307, PSA 308, and PSA 309

Dupont Circle Public Safety Meetings are generally 
held the third Wednesday of each month. There is an 
open forum at each meeting for discussion of issues 
not on the regular agenda. Dupont Circle Public Safety
Meetings are sponsored by the Metropolitan Police 
Department's Third District, Dupont Circle Advisory 
Neighborhood Commission, Dupont Circle Citizens 
Association, and Dupont Circle Merchants and 
Professionals Association.  
------------------------------------------------------
[6] 
From: "Project Y Theatre Co" 
Subject: Project Y Dance your Pants Fundraiser

               Come one and Come all!!!
                       3 BANDS
                        2 DJs
                   1 Theater Company
                     MONSTER PUSS

  PROJECT Y and VELVET LOUNGE present The 2nd Annual
       PROJECT Y Fundraiser featuring music by
                                      
                     MAGINOT LINE
                    The NAZCA LINES
                          &
                     MONSTER PUSS

                and the DJ stylin's of
             Amit Prakash and Dave Prieto

    When: THIS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2001  9:00p-2:00a
   Where: VELVET LOUNGE 915 U Street, NW 
How Much: $10 cover to support Project Y, 
          cheap drinks to support Velvet Lounge 
------------------------------------------------------
[7]  
From:    "Rainbow History" 
Subject: Waking Up to AIDS in DC--1981 & 1982 Nov 30th

In recognition of World AIDS Day 2001, the Rainbow
History Project presents an evening recalling how
Washington DC's LGBT community woke up to AIDS and HIV
in its midst in 1981 and 1982.  
 
CDC announcements in June and September 1981 drew
attention to a troubling and little understood disease
that appeared in gay men as unusually high incidences
of PCP and Kaposi's Syndrome.  The disease didn't even
have a name.  For a  long while it was called gay
cancer or GRID.  Until well into 1983, there wasn't
even clear evidence on what caused the
immunodifficiency or how it was transmitted.  Amyl
nitrate, promiscuity, and other STDs were some of the 
 
DC's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered
communities were hardly aware of the disease.  The
first local death occured in December 1981.  At that
point there was no Obituary column in the Blade, the
Whitman-Walker Clinic still focused primarily on other
STDs and health issues, there were no support systems,
no educational materials, no discussion of safe sex. 
All that was yet to come.  Many people didn't even
want to talk about it and some bars wouldn't even
distribute condoms.
 
But ... in 1981 and 1982, as we woke up to what later
became known as AIDS in our midst, our media, our
health organizations, and our support community was
already grappling with trying to understand the
disease, educate our public, and prevent transmission.
As Jim Graham commented in December 1981 to the
Washington Blade, "We're ready and willing but we
haven't determined what exactly it is we should do."
 
Join us as we recall those years.  Panelists Richard
DiGioia, whose Health column gave the first advice on
preserving immune systems, and Lou Chibbaro, whose
articles in the Washington Blade brought the emerging
news of HIV to DC, remember the issues and events of
that period, and how institutions and strategies
emerged.  To bring the picture up to date,
participants in the Johns Hopkins University AIDS
vaccine trials will talk about where we are today in
the search for a vaccine.

Where:  The Sumner School Museum, 17th & M, room G-3
When:   Doors open at 6 PM.  Event begins at 6:30 PM.
Info:   info@rainbowhistory.org or call 202.907.9007
------------------------------------------------------
[8]  
NoMA Arts Coalition           Winter 2000 Open Studios

443 I Street Gallery Space
57 N Street Fine Arts
52 O Street Studios

Dec. 8 & 9, 2000    

33 DC ARTISTS OPEN THEIR STUDIOS TO THE PUBLIC
On December 9th and 10th from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, the 
NoMA (North of Massachusetts Avenue) Arts Coalition 
will host an exciting arts event. Have access to the
process and personas behind varied and intriguing art,
enjoy an outdoor sculpture exhibit, refreshments and 
live music. The three participating buildings include 
443 "I" Street, 57 "N" Street & 52 "O" Street NW. 
These buildings have a long history of housing artist 
studios in the District, located in the city's touted
technology and arts corridor.
   Maps and a detailed list of artists will be 
available at each location. A variety of disciplines 
are represented: collage, interactive installation,
jewelry, mosaic, music, painting, photography, 
printmaking, sculpture, stonework and more! 
   Admission is free.