Silver Spring really likes their mosaics. Check out this bench too:

950 Wayne Ave

Thanks to all who’ve written in about Silver Spring’s coming taste of Columbia Heights:

“Passed signage for a new Taqueria Distrito Federal (950ish Wayne Ave) and a new Pete’s Apizza (962 Wayne Ave) that I had no idea were opening in downtown Silver Spring.”

962 Wayne Ave

Brilliant!

Sixth Engine did a great job converting an old firehouse into a restaurant in Mt. Vernon Square. I just saw another great example up in Silver Spring called Fire Station 1 at 8131 Georgia Ave.

“The Fire Station 1 Restaurant and Brewing Company is proud to be locally owned and operated in the original location of the first firehouse in Silver Spring, MD. Retired firefighter Jeremy Gruber began his firefighting and EMS career at Fire Station 1 and nearly a quarter of a century later he’s the proud owner of the newly renovated family friendly Restaurant and event complex.”

More on the history of that firehouse here.

Makes passing the old firehouse on North Capitol Street that much more painful…

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.

Photo via Piratz Tavern facebook

Thanks to a few people for sending this update from the Washington Post:

Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring headed to Davy Jones’s locker, as they say, this week after the Spike TV reality show “Bar Rescue” chose the bar for one of its Season Two episodes.

The bar reopened the night of Feb. 18 as Corporate Bar and Grill with a menu serving gourmet burgers, tuna steaks and shrimp ceviche.

Photo via Piratz Tavern facebook

Piratz tavern was located at 8402 Georgia Avenue.

Corporate Bar and Grill is, uh, not the most creative name… I’m sure many people would hope that Piratz tavern, like their Website says, was still open!