Author: Prince Of Petworth

2nd Annual DCCX Cyclocross Bike Race To Be Held At Old Soldier’s Home Oct. 26

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

“DCCX, the only cyclocross race held in the nation’s capital, will be held on October 26 on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in NW Washington DC. Registration is now open on BikeReg.com.

For the second-annual event, race promoters DCMTB/City Bikes are building on last year’s exciting, successful race and will offer improvements to an already awesome race experience — and provide even more extra-curricular fun for racers, kids and spectators. DCCX joined the MABRA cross series this year.

Three ways the fun continues from last year:

1. The race is held on a classic, European-style cyclocross course. It’s fast with lots of transitions from grass to pavement to gravel and back. There are some tricky barriers and roots. Amateur archeologists from DCMTB uncovered a stone, Paris-Roubaix-style path before last year’s race, and that has become DCCX’s signature feature. The layout is great for first time cyclocross racers and a fast, challenging event for veterans.

2. The Armed Forces Retirement Home is the site of four National Historic Landmarks, including the Lincoln Cottage. Lincoln withdrew to the
Soldiers’ Home each summer to escape the heat in the White House. It’s difficult to get on the grounds the other 364 days of the year; with a registration you can drive right in and check out the grounds, and schedule a tour of the Lincoln Cottage.

3. Beer. Yes, indeed: Racers will once again be able to enjoy a beer after their race courtesy of Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar in Washington, DC. More details after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? Super Fixer Upper Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m super curious to know what you guys think about this fixer upper located at 1207 Kenyon Street, NW. This is one of the first total fixer uppers I’ve been able to find. The flier says:

“In “hot” Columbia Heights. Less than 2 blocks from Metro/Kenyon Square & Tivoli w/ movies restaurants, shopping, gallerys, Giant, Target, Best Buy etc. Use your creative senses to bring this old beauty to life. Hi ceilings and large pic windows, hardwood floors, molding, exposed brick, and HUGE! Have permits that are valid until June 2009 for demo and front yard. Have preliminary plans available.”

More details can be found here.

I don’t know how much a gut renovation costs but the “bones” of this home certainly seems nice and of course the location is killer. But given the needed rehab is $569,000 a good deal or not?

Random Restaurant Query

By Prince Of Petworth

What do people think of Teaism? While I find it a little pricey, I do really enjoy the food and I find the atmosphere very pleasant. What do you think? Any regulars out there? Any haters?

Tina Visits Adam Express in Mt. Pleasant

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m pretty sure that it’s mostly because I have the sense of humor of a five year old – but I find the word Bibim Bap to be hysterically funny. Even funnier that it is the name of a meal, a meal that up until a couple of days ago I found to be equally funny looking and also sort of gross.

As Asian cuisine goes, for the most part I love it. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese are all among my favorites. Admittedly I haven’t had much exposure to Korean delicacies in my day, but I have to say I’ve never really been a fan. So, even though it was right in my ‘hood, I had never really been tempted to try Adam Express.

Recently, though, I’d been hearing a lot of buzz about how great it is. The CityPaper named it Best Korean Food in the District, and a reviewer on the DCist notes that while you might find better Korean fare in the suburbs of VA and MD, Adam Express is arguably the best in the District. And, my limited basis for comparison aside, I now have to agree.

After a year and a half of walking past the somewhat sketchy looking storefront almost daily, I finally took the leap and stepped inside just the other night. Immediately I was struck by how cute it is. Were it not for the cash register, it would seem like you were in someone’s home. The place itself is tiny, with window seating for only four or five on rickety stools that seem like they might fall apart any second. In addition to a number of newspaper articles lauding the authenticity and deliciousness of the food, the walls are covered with family photos, and a bulletin board tacked with thank you notes from an elementary school class. Past the counter you can see right into the kitchen, where the really sweet couple (Seoul natives) who own the place lovingly prepare each meal for a steady stream of customers. Story continues after the jump. (more…)

Photo Archives Caption Contest

By Prince Of Petworth

I had posted this photo in the past but a reader suggested I use it for a caption contest. I can’t wait to see the entries…

Your caption in the comments, winner (free PoP t-shirt) announced Friday.

Ellwood Thompson’s Organic Grocery Deal Signed. Also the New York Giants Win the Super Bowl

By Prince Of Petworth

In the most anti-climactic news of the week, the Ellwood Thompson deal was finally signed bringing the grocery to the DC USA Complex in Columbia Heights. Don’t get me wrong, I think this is great news. It was simply known for quite a while. I guess I’m a little disappointed because I and a number of local bloggers had recieved an email tip saying “Heads up // big DC culinary news coming this week…”. So I guess I was hoping that a Peter Lugar’s Steakhouse was going to open up in DC. Anyway, I think the drawing looks great. And from what I hear the store will be a great addition to the neighborhood.

They did produce a great video about the store:
From the press release:

“The local, organic and natural market is slated to open in fall/winter of 2009 and will be nearly 15,000 square feet. In addition, this growth will bring 90-110 new jobs to the area, everything from managerial to general positions, with great benefits and a unique and meaningful working environment.

Like the Richmond store, each department of the Columbia Heights market will emphasize local products found within a 100-mile radius. Offerings will include naturopathic vitamins, supplements and personal care, local produce, bulk, meat and seafood, wine, cheeses and fresh baked goods. Prepared foods from Ellwood’s Kitchen will be led by award-winning chef and vegan cookbook author, Jannequin Bennett. It will cater to intentional eaters as well as provide a variety of natural, organic, and ethnically diverse dishes. Those who elect to eat vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and/or raw foods will find plenty of options in all departments. There will be inside and outside community seating with wireless internet available.

Ellwood Thompson’s will also offer incentives for conservation and recycling in the form of monetary envirocredits for walking, biking and mass transit and reusing shopping bags, water and food containers.”

So I guess the question is will you shop at Harris Teeter in Adams Morgan, the Giant on Park Road or the upcoming Ellwood Thompson’s?

Hipchickindc Gets Her Wallet Stolen and Questions Her Liberal Leanings

By Prince Of Petworth

“I know people who have been held up at gun point. I was not. My wallet was stolen in an instant of stupidity and distraction.

Most Sundays you’ll either find me showing property or holding an Open House. This past Sunday was an Open House day at one of my listings on Capitol Hill. It was a beautiful Fall day, so the traffic was good. Several of the teenagers from around the neighborhood came through early in the afternoon. It’s a really nice house and they were curious. Around 4pm I was starting to turn off lights and close up and one of the girls came back with a friend. I also had a woman stop through around the same time. Since I was closing up, I had moved my purse from the closet and had it in a corner with some other stuff. I stepped back into the kitchen to show the woman the parking out back. In the two minutes it took to return to the living room, the girls were out of there and my purse was a lot lighter than it had been.  Story continues after the jump. (more…)

Sweet Street Scene

By Prince Of Petworth

Anyone recognize it? The hint would be the awning seen on the left hand side of the photo…

Good Deed of the Day Part 2

By Prince Of Petworth

Remember all the folks who haven’t claimed their tax rebate checks?

From a commenter:

“I just came across the post on the PoP blog about claiming Economic Stimulus Payment rebate checks, and I wanted to let you know that there’s going to be free help for filers on Oct 11 at the MLK library. Volunteers with the DC Earned Income Tax Campaign will be there from 10am-2pm helping people file their returns.

So if anyone knows people who haven’t filed their returns and/or don’t know how to file they can come in on the 11th and get help. A link to the flyer about the event is here: http://caab.org/images/pictures/PDFs/ESP_Day_flyer_Oct08.pdf. The flyer also has eligibility information and what filers need to bring on the 11th.”

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