Remembering Officer Sean Collier, 26

6625 Georgia Avenue, NW

I’ve driven past this sight probably 100 times. I finally walked past and was able to check out this incredible history.

From Wikipedia on the Battle of Fort Stevens:

The Battle of Fort Stevens was an American Civil War battle fought July 11–12, 1864, in Northwest Washington, D.C., as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 between forces under Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early and Union Maj. Gen. Alexander McD. McCook. Although Early caused consternation in the Union government, reinforcements under Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright and the strong defenses of Fort Stevens minimized the military threat and Early withdrew after two days of skirmishing without attempting any serious assaults. The battle is noted for the personal presence of President Abraham Lincoln observing the fighting.

From Wikipedia on the Battleground National Cemetery:

After the battle, Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs seized 1 acre (0.40 ha) of farm land to use for burying the dead. Under direction from President Abraham Lincoln and Meigs, forty were buried on the evening of July 12 on the battlefield site. That night, Lincoln came to the site to dedicate it as the Battleground National Cemetery.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Awesome MCA tribute in a Columbia Heights alley.

Not too far from the Maine Lobsterman we checked out yesterday.

One of my favorite murals (mosaic) in the city. From the Corner Store:

This 28′ by 14′ mosaic tree by Kris Swanson is a tribute to community created with help from dozens of friends and neighbors. A special thanks to Laurie Siegel for firing so many of the mosaic tiles & designing the classroom syllabus.

The Yume Tree is located on the CVS wall at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street, SE, Washington DC. More than one thousand children in area schools sculpted and signed the three-inch names tiles that form the body of the tree. The leaves of the tree are mirror. The higher leaf groupings reflect the movement of the sky, the lower mirror the garden, street, and people walking by. Sponsorship tiles form the background surrounding the tree, reflecting thoughts of the community.

The Yume Tree was installed and dedicated in October, 2003, and new Tiles are added every six months or so. It’s never too late to add your voice to this growing neighborhood mosaic.

Peter Bis

Dear PoPville,

Wanted to let you know that Pete, the homeless guy outside the Exxon on Massachusetts Ave and 2nd St NE, passed away early this morning. Us hill rats remember him telling us how many days until the weekend and then advising us not to go skinny dipping. He’s an everyday staple for some people and wanted to let you know.

Rest in Peace, Pete.

Click to enlarge

From a press release:

Today, on the third anniversary of the worst rail accident in the District’s history, Mayor Vincent C. Gray fulfilled a promise made last year to the families of the victims of the 2009 Metro crash by unveiling a bronze memorial plaque in honor of their loved ones.

The plaque is located on the New Hampshire Avenue/Charles Langley Bridge, above the approximate location of the accident, which claimed the lives of nine victims and left 80 passengers injured.

“Today we unveil a memorial plaque that will serve as an everlasting testament to these nine members of our community,” said Mayor Gray. “They left us too soon, but we will forever remember what happened here. We will remember the fallen and find joy in their lives and the ways in which they enriched the world around them.”

Many family representatives of victims Jeanice McMillian, the train operator; Mary “Mandy” Doolittle; Veronica Dubose; Ana Fernandez; Dennis Hawkins; Lavonda “Nikki” King; Cameron Williams; Ann Wherley and her husband, Major General David Wherley, met with District officials on the design of the plaque and plans for a proposed memorial park and garden.

In addition to many of the victims’ family members, Mayor Gray was joined at the unveiling by Deborah A.P. Hersman, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; dozens of first responders from D.C. Fire & Emergency Medical Services and the Metropolitan Police Department; and other public safety officials who rushed to the scene from neighboring jurisdictions.

“Our public safety officials rescued, triaged, treated and transported the injured within the first two hours of the incident. They guided the public, calmed surviving victims and kept their families informed,” Mayor Gray said. “In short, their heroism was on display that day, and I extend my thanks and appreciation for the professionalism and bravery they bring to their jobs every day.”

Photo courtesy of Mayor Gray’s office

Grace Deli, 701 H Street, NE

On Thursday we learned of the horrible murder of Hae Soon “June” Lim which occurred in Grace Deli at the corner of 7th and H St, NE. It is very painful to look at but an extremely moving memorial has sprouted at the corner.

CBS reported:

“Lim was just one year away from retirement according to her son.”

Rest in Peace June Lim.

Photo by Pablo.Raw

You can read about the Invasion of Normandy here. You can learn more about the World War II memorial here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user gerdaindc

Join the PoPville flickr pool here and follow PoPville on twitter here on facebook here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user schmiddi

Photo by PoPville flickr user egr5005

From DDOT:

Tuesday, May 29

The public viewing is scheduled from 11 am to 10 pm on Tuesday at the Howard Theatre, which is located at 620 T Street, NW. The following streets will be closed for this event:

3:00 am – Midnight
T Street, NW, from 7th Street to Florida Avenue, NW

9:30 am – Midnight

T Street, NW closure will expand to include T Street between 9th Street and Florida Avenue, NW
7th Street, NW between Florida Avenue and S Street, NW
8th Street, NW between Florida Avenue and S Street, NW
Wiltberger Street, NW between T Street and S Street, NW

Thursday, May 31

The public memorial service is scheduled from 12 pm – 3 pm at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, located at 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW.

6:00 am – 6:00 pm

L Street, NW will be closed in both direction between 7th Street and 9th Street

Please note: all street closures and times are subject to change due to prevailing or unexpected conditions.

The general public is strongly encouraged to use public transportation for both events.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

As I was walking down 14th Street yesterday afternoon I heard no less than six cars blasting Chuck Brown’s music. It was beautiful.

The Mayor’s Office issued a press release:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray today expressed his profound sadness upon hearing the news that D.C. native Chuck Brown, the singer and musician who came to be affectionately known as the “Godfather of Go-go,” has died.

“Go-go is D.C.’s very own unique contribution to the world of pop music, and Chuck Brown was regarded as Go-go’s creator and, arguably, its most legendary artist,” Mayor Gray said. “Today is a very sad day for music lovers the world over, but especially in the District of Columbia. Without Chuck Brown, the world – and our city – will be a different place. What a loss!

I am thankful that I had so many opportunities to witness Chuck’s singular talent in person, and I enjoyed each performance immensely. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers go out to his family.”

Chuck Brown was born in Washington. His musical career began in the 1960s as he played guitar with multiple bands, including Jerry Butler and the Earls of Rhythm and Los Latinos. His solo career took off in the 1970s as Go-go, a subgenre of funk music that originated with performers and clubs in and around the District, began to gain national popularity. His early work included hits like “Bustin’ Loose,” and pop-music historians generally consider Mr. Brown one of the main driving forces behind Go-go’s creation. He continued to play in the Washington area and elsewhere until recently, when he canceled an appearance at the newly refurbished Howard Theatre due to illness.

Last night The Howard Theatre hosted candlelight vigil for Chuck Brown. “Mr. Brown was slated to play The Howard Theatre on June 29, and had played the theatre often.”

Photo by LaVan Anderson for The Howard Theatre

What an awesome sculpture/tribute from up in Silver Spring. The dedication says:

The unofficial “Mayor” of Silver Spring was a homeless man who collected hand-outs of money and food. Norman Lane walked the streets of Silver Spring for almost 25 years, doing odd jobs around the neighborhoods and handing out flowers to women on the street picked out of the Bell Flowers dumpster. Norman Lane was a mainstay in the community, and his enjoyment of life has been immortalized in a bronze bust created by artist and friend, Fred Folsom. The plaque beneath Norman Lane’s likeness reads, “Remembering the Caring Kindhearted Forbearance of the People of Silver Spring.” This is a tribute, not only to this local legend, but to the citizens of Silver Spring like Robert Phillips, owner of the Silver Spring Auto Body Shop, who kept a cot and a hot plate in the garage as a permanent home for Lane.