Author: Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoP – What’s Going on by New Mexico Ave. Chef Geoff’s?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was over in Wesley Heights recently and noticed some construction going on in front of the New Mexico Ave Chef Geoffs. In the same complex there used to be a market. I can’t recall the name now but it was a chain and a few area locations closed. I’ve heard a couple rumors that space will become a Trader Joes but can’t find any mention of it anywhere. Wondering if its true a trader joes is going in there, and what the construction going on is, and if it’s related. It looks like the outdoor seating in front of chef geoffs is getting dug out.”

I stopped by Chef Geoff’s at 3201 New Mexico Ave., NW on Sunday, by the by they had some great live music going on, to ask if they had heard anything. They told me they had heard a number of rumors that a bookstore was coming or possibly American University administrative offices. They never heard anything about a Trader Joes going in. I’ll inquire with Trade Joes but I’ve found grocery stores never confirm rumors even if they are true. Seeing it in person though, I doubt there’d be enough parking for a Trader Joes. If I were a betting man, I’d think AU admin offices would be a much more likely tenant. I’ll be sure to update as more info becomes available. Chef Geoff’s did however say that they will continue to have outdoor seating, which is seasonal, out front. They expect all the construction to be completed by the spring.

Chairman’s Reserve Rum Happy Hour and Cocktail Demo with Importer Clyde Davis at Room 11 Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“Please join us to experience the award winning Chairman’s Reserve Rum from St. Lucia and great new fall cocktails tonight at Room 11 from 5-8. You will get to meet the importer of this rum and learn how it’s produced and how well it works in cocktails.
Cheers,
Dan Searing
Partner/Bar Manager
Room 11
3234 11th St NW”

Dear PoP – Where Can I Get a Christmas Tree?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

This is my first year in DC and I was wondering if you could post info on where to purchase live Christmas trees in the area.”

Brightwood Living gave some great suggestions last year. You can also find some suggestions here and here. But if any good spots have been left out please leave your suggestions in the comments. So when do Christmas trees generally go up anyway?

Mayor Fenty/CM Bowser Walk-Though on 14th St NW tomorrow

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“Mayor Adrian Fenty will join Councilmember Muriel Bowser and various, city agency department heads for a walk-through tomorrow, Thursday, starting at 9:30 am from 14th Street NW at Spring Road NW.

Agencies to be represented by agency directors and other top tier, professional staff include the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Latino Affairs and the Metropolitan Police.

The purpose of the walk-through is to focus on community issues that need to be addressed – including streetscape issues along 14th Street NW in Ward 4.

Community members are welcome to join us.

The walk will start at 9:30 am at 14th Street NW at Spring Road NW and head north along 14th Street NW. Councilmember Bowser’s staff has said the group will proceed into the 16th Street Heights section of the 14th Street commercial corridor.”

Break in at Hadiyah Cafe, 3118 Georgia Ave.

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the photo. The reader writes:

“Happened this morning. The store is hardly ever open. It was a matter of time.”

We spoke about Hadiyah Cafe back in April and I have to agree it was truly bizarre the place never seemed to be open (even on weekends). Still, always sad to see destruction like this.

Speaking of Farmers Markets – Meeting on Bringing One to Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who wrote in about this meeting. From the email:

“The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace, a volunteer organization, is working on bringing back the farmers market to Columbia Heights! The idea is the market would include a farmers market with produce, etc, fun and entertainment as well as booths for community service organizations! We’re having a community meeting this Saturday to solicit community feedback, ideas and hopefully participation in this exciting effort!

Please join us for a PLANNING MEETING about the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace!

When: Saturday, November 21 10am-12pm

Where: SCORE Educational Center, 3233 14th Street (On the Civic Plaza – by Juila’s Empanadas)

Why: To learn what our vision is, to have your say in what the market should be like and to get involved”.

I think we’ve briefly discussed this before but do you think a Farmers Market would be successful on the new Columbia Heights Plaza?

Good Deal or Not? Weekly Wed. House Porn Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1300 30th Street, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“One of Georgetown’s finest historic properties on the corner of 30th and N St. Four bedroom three and a half bath with two fireplaces. Elegant formal living and dining room with original moldings and large south facing windows. Wood floors throughout the house with a view of the Washington Monument from the top floor. Flagstone courtyard with pond and separate entrance.”

You can find more info here and a virtual tour here.

This has to have one of the craziest bathrooms (half) that I’ve ever seen. But I think the feature I like best is the courtyard. Do you think this is worthy of the title House Porn? It’s yours for $2,195,000.

Rebbie on Making Farmers Markets More Accessible (By Danny Harris)

By Prince Of Petworth

Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. In September, he launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. Every day, People’s District presents a different Washingtonian sharing his or her insights on everything from Go Go music to homelessness to fashion to politics. You can read his previous columns here.

“Food stamps used to be physical stamps that people would use in supermarkets or farmers markets. A number of years ago, the government switched to an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) swipe card. While it seemed like a great idea, it largely removed farmers markets as an option for lower income people because the farmers markets did not have access to wireless terminals. In places like California, the government went out and bought wireless terminals for every single farmers market. That didn’t happen in DC. Because of that, a whole generation of food stamp recipients here doesn’t know that they can access farmers markets. When I took over the Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market two years ago and heard that we didn’t have that capability, I just went out and bought one out of pocket. Four other area markets got a grant from the city for wireless devices. Now, we have gone from zero to five markets where you can use an EBT card in the DC area. The wireless machine handles EBT, credit and debit cards and costs $1100 plus a $45 monthly charge. The hope is that the fee we charge people for debit cards usage will eventually pay off the cost of the machine. We don’t break even, but it is important that we have it.  Continues after the jump (more…)

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