This past Saturday lovers of books united on the Mall for the National Book Festival. The rain could not dampen the good times. There were tons of authors and even more fans flooding the Mall. One of the coolest sights, for me, was seeing so many kids there. Did anyone check it out? If so, who was your favorite author you heard speak?
More photos after the jump. (more…)
It was a bit confusing last week trying to figure out whether Rumberos had closed or not. The fact that the windows were abruptly papered over yet, no “closed” sign was in the window confused a few folks. I noticed these two signs on the door Sunday morning.
I thought these painted LPs were pretty cool on 15th Street just south of Park Road.
Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about this door but you can sorta see from the picture that it breaks down in the middle. Can’t say I’ve seen one like that before. I wonder if there is a vestibule behind it…
This one from Florida Ave. not to far from the LeDroit Park sign is pretty unusual. I like the bay window on the second floor, though I’m not sure what’s going on with the part that sticks up super high above it. Any function there?
I don’t know how I missed this development. While we have a Gastropub, CommonWealth in Columbia Heights, this one sounds a bit different. It will be called Againn and their Web site says:
“A contemporary gastropub. A place to gather – your thoughts or with friends – and enjoy traditional British Isle pub cuisine presented in modern ware. Extensive single-malt scotch and beer selections, as well as fine wines and personal scotch lockers. Till we meet Againn. Drink Slowly. Eat Well. Speak Kindly.”
Sounds awesome. They say they’ll be open in Fall ’09 and when I walked by there was lots of action going on inside. They’ll be located at 1099 New York Avenue, NW:
Library of Congress National Book Festival, September 26, 2009
National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th streets
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
· Website: http://loc.gov/bookfest
The Bloodsugars from NYC who are on Engine Room with US Royalty and Middle Distance Runner at the Red and Black Friday Night. They are an awesome dance rock band that is sure to make everyone move. Doors are at 8:30 and cover is $8, should be a fun time and we hope to see you there!
Mt. Pleasant Movie in the Park and Sidewalk Sale– September 26th Mount Pleasant Main Street will present a free outdoor screening of the feature documentary ‘King Corn’ on Saturday, September 26th in Lamont Street Park (Lamont St. NW & Mt. Pleasant St. NW). Movie activities start at 6pm, and include urban gardening demonstrations and live music. Local Mount Pleasant Business will hold a Sidewalk Sale all day! The movie is part of the Mt. Pleasant Movie Series, featuring a movie the fourth Saturday in August and September. For more information go to www.mtpmainstreet.org.
Also in Mt. P:
BOOKSALE: Mt Pleasant Library, Saturday 26 September from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Hundreds and hundreds of books: hardbacks all $1.00, paperbacks all 50¢! The library is located at 1600 Lamont St, NW (just off 16th St, conveniently close to Columbia Heights Metro).
FREE FAMILY PLAY DAY!
We at KaBOOM! (the DC based, national non-profit that works with local communities to ensure that kids have a great place to play) invite you to an exciting, family friendly and FREE event we’re hosting on Saturday, September 26th, from 10 – 4.
It’s the KaBOOM! Play Day in Walter Pierce Park (Adams Mill Rd & Calvert St. NW).
We’re inviting everyone we know over to play some of our favorite outdoor games. We’ll also have crafts, raffles, and park beautification projects for the whole family – it’s going to be great! G Wiz from the Washington Wizards and KOOL-AID MAN will be stopping by to say hello and play some games with us too. We’ll have some food available for purchase on site, but lots of folks are bringing a picnic lunch. PLUS you could even win some great raffle prizes, like an Alex Ovechkin signed hockey puck, movie passes and MORE!
This event will be one of 1200+ events being held nationwide; we hope you’ll join us at this DC event as we work to SAVE PLAY nationwide!
I’m in DC and at the advanced age of 39, I’ve taken up a new sport: Roller Derby!
I’m a very proud rookie on Scare Force One, and we’re playing this weekend in the opening bout of the season at the DC Armory. $12 for adults, $6 for 11 and under and kids under 6pm free!
DC Armory
Sunday, 9/27
3pm doors/4pm action
dcrollergirls.com
And for Monday:
YPT PRESENTS “DYING FOR RESPECT”
ORIGINAL STUDENT WRITING ABOUT YOUTH VIOLENCE
WASHINGTON, DC (September 2, 2009) Young Playwrights’ Theater (YPT) presents New Writers Now! Dying For Respect in association with the Citywide Coordinating Council on Youth Violence Prevention (CCYVP)
The staged reading, which is free of charge and open to the public, will be presented at 7:00 PM, on Monday, September 28th, 2009, at GALA Hispanic Theatre. GALA Hispanic Theatre is located at 3333 14th Street NW, Washington DC 20010. Pre-reception to begin at 6:15.
Dying for Respect, is the first in YPT’s 2009-2010 New Writers Now! series, featuring professional actors in staged readings of student plays fresh from the classroom, followed by a community discussion about the plays with the playwrights. At New Writers Now!, young writers discover the value of sharing their work and recognize that the community is invested in the stories they tell.
“Our writing process has provided students with a rare opportunity to express their feelings and insights on gang and youth violence directly, in their own words,” says David Andrew Snider, Producing Artistic Director and CEO of Young Playwrights’ Theater. “We’re excited to share their work and proud to provide this opportunity for community dialogue in a safe, open forum.”
The evening will feature original writing created by students in YPT’s programming, as well as students from partner programs within CCCYVP including: Adams Morgan Youth Leadership Academy (AMYLA), Helping Inner City Kids Succeed (HICKS) and Coalition of Organizations and Individuals Nurturing Neighborhoods (COINNS).
Young Playwrights’ Theater teaches students to express themselves clearly and creatively through the art of playwriting. Through interactive in-school and after-school programs, YPT activates student learning and inspires students to understand the power of language and realize their potential as both individuals and artists. By publicly presenting and discussing student-written work, YPT promotes community dialogue and respect for young artists.
Dying for Respect is made possible by support from the Citywide Coordinating Council on Youth Violence Prevention (CCCYVP). “The CCCYVP is so pleased to work with YPT because our youth seldom have creative outlets for their experiences,” says CCCYVP Coordinator Yvonne Doerre. “Giving youth this kind of opportunity to express themselves can prevent them from using violence as an outlet.”
The CCCYVP was created by the Council of the District of Columbia in 2008 with the leadership of Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham. The purpose of the Coordinating Council is to develop a citywide youth violence prevention and intervention movement from the ground up. The mission of the CCCYVP is to enhance the communication amongst youth violence prevention partners throughout the District of Columbia by providing synchronized services and on-going trainings/support. CCCYVP’s partner support strategy is based on the premise that youth-, crew- and gang-related violence are preventable.
For more information, visit www.yptdc.org
Don’t be alarmed! From an email:
“In observance of National Preparedness Month, law enforcement and first responder agencies will conduct mock emergency exercises in the Downtown Area on Saturday, Sept. 26th, from 8 AM until 3 PM. Law enforcement and first responder agencies are conducting drills only. All drills will conclude at 3 P.M.”
Back in June we looked at some renderings here. Thanks to PoPville flickr user Rockcreek for uploading the new image. The library is located at 3160 16th Street, NW. Looks like it will fit nicely, yeah?
In other Mt. P images, Rockcreek also found a very cool shot of the buildings at 18th and Florida from 1908. rockcreek writes:
“Newly completed apartment buildings (Albert H. Beers, 1908) on the SW corner of Eighteenth Street and Florida Avenue, NW, 12/12/1908 “Washington Times”.”
These are the buildings that put all the peace signs up in many languages every December.
Thanks to a reader for sending the full indictment of Ted Loza, Chief of Staff to Council Member Jim Graham. There is a very interesting transcript of a taped conversation. Here’s a taste:
“Individual No. 1: Definitely, and I want to thank you very much for this, and, you know—
LOZA: Thank you very much.
Individual No. 1: Very helpful for us, you know. Uh, and [Individual Number 2] wanted to really thank you as well for this.
LOZA: He does? What, didn’t he thank me or didn’t you guys thank me already?
Individual No. 1: Here – here. This is for you. And, uh, thank you very much for him. [Individual Number 1 handed $500 in cash to LOZA.]
LOZA: You know I need it. That’s why I take it, you know.”
You can read the full indictment from the pdf below: