DC Government

The Caribbean Festival Likely Won’t Happen This Year

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rjs1322

Back in March a reader was curious about the status of this year’s Caribbean Festival given the violence of last year. Last night the Georgia Ave Task Force heard a presentation about the festival. ANC1B09 rep Lauren McKenzie tweeted:

“Caribbean Carnival pres & exec dir stated that unless something changes in 24-48 hrs there will NOT be a carnival this year.

They owe the city $210K from last yr. City officials arent responding to letters, calls etc to request help make this yr possible.”

A reader who attended the meeting sent the following summary:

Looks like carnival is dead, if no financial help in 48 hours. Need over 200k to pay security and clean up to carry on. Howard University impact study says it’s a benefit to community, says bring in 4 million in revenue. Not clear on tax revenue… Mr Graham still supports festival, but unrelated homicide last year has caused mayor office to remain silent in support. City said in Jan that it would not support if money can’t be raised, which was last meeting festival had with mayor.

By the end of meeting it became clear that if the money isn’t raised and a clear plan presented to city by end of April, then that doesn’t leave enough time to get the word out.

This is a failure and disappointment on many many levels. I stand by my final thoughts from last year.

Update from DC Caribbean Festival’s Facebook page:

This morning the DC City Paper wrote an article that states DC Carnival is Cancel. This is not true. We attended a meeting last night with the lower Georgia Avenue Business Community to provide an update on DC Carnival 2012. We express the financial challenges the Carnival is facing with respect to City services and that we are exploring alternatives to Georgia Avenue this year. We never mentioned canceling the Carnival but I guess this makes for bigger and better news. This confirm to us that we are facing an uphill battle to sustain our culture in this ever changing DC community. We no longer can depend on the City to help us. This is a wake up call for us to help ourself. If we do not mobilize as a community and show the City that we are important and we do make a difference then the headlines might prove to be true.

You Know What Easter and Passover Means? It’s Time for the Annual Ginkgo Tree Spraying

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

To prevent the notoriously unpleasant odor of the popular ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) from overtaking city streets, the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration (DDOT Trees) will begin spraying the unsavory smelling female ginkgo fruits tonight. DDOT Trees will use the same spray that has been used for the past several years, Shield-EC (also known as sprout nip).

The spraying will begin in Wards 1, 2 and 6, where female ginkgo trees are most prevalent, and continue through Wards 4, 5, 3, 7 and 8. Spraying will occur overnight for the next few nights and there is no need to move vehicles parked on streets.

A map of the female ginkgo trees to be treated is available online here.

Dear PoPville – Can We Talk About Marion Barry’s Comments for a Sec?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by flickr user JamesCalder

Dear PoPville,

My friends and I are particularly enraged by the most recent comments from Marion Barry about Asian business owners during his victory speech. Would be great for readers to see this and help start a movement that makes it clear that this kind of bigotry is not acceptable in any form in the District of Columbia – especially from elected officials. These unacceptable comments need to be addressed by the Mayor and the rest of Council…

Quote from Fox 5: “We’ve got to do something about these Asians coming in, opening up businesses — those dirty shops” Barry said Tuesday night after winning the Democratic primary for the City’s Ward 8 Seat and effectively securing a third council term.

Barry went on to say “They ought to go. I’ll just say that right now, you know. But we need African American Businesspeople to be able to take their places, too.”

Ed. Note: Sorry I was unable to post this yesterday, I was away from my computer in the afternoon.

Fox 5 has since posted that CM Barry has apologized:

“In a statement, he says he is “deeply apologetic for any harm that I have caused.”

On Tuesday night in the hours after securing another primary victory for City Council in Ward 8, Barry told his supporters this:

“We got to do something about these Asians coming in and opening up businesses and dirty shops. They ought to go. I’m going to say that right now. But we need African-American businesspeople to be able to take their places too.”

But until about 4 p.m. Thursday, Barry refused to back down, telling reporters in his office the Asian merchants needed a new attitude. Barry criticized the merchants for not reinvesting in the community and suggesting the ward would be better off with merchants from Ethiopia.

Hearing on Extending Bar Hours Until 3am/4am on Tuesday, April 17

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user pjcoleman

On March 23rd, we spoke about the possibility that bars may soon be able to stay open later. Council Member Jim Graham writes:

Dear Friends, I want to have maximum public comment on the recent budget proposal to extend the hours of service of alcohol in the bars from 2 AM to 3 AM, weekdays, and from 3 AM to 4 AM on weekends. This proposal will have significant impact on businesses and on the residents of our neighborhoods.

For that reason, I have set up a hearing just on this issue, scheduled to begin in the early evening so as to enable persons to voice their opinions on this.

I welcome public testimony at this hearing. I have requested, and expect to receive, a detailed impact statement from ABRA as part of the hearing.

Please contact Malcolm Cameron at (202) 724-8191 if you wish to sign up to testify. It is also very helpful if you bring 15 copies of your written testimony to the hearing. The Hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 5:00 p.m. in room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW as part of the FY 13 Budget Oversight process.

Dear PoPville – Sign the Growlers in DC petition

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Oct. 2011 we learned D’Vines was no longer allowed to sell growlers.

A readers sends this petition to sign to remedy that situation:

“This legislation will allow brewpubs in Washington, DC to sell beer to go in growlers. Having the ability to sell beer in reusable containers with a Class-C Tavern/Brewpub license has the potential of adding a great deal of revenue to local businesses and add to the growing craft beer scene in the District.

A number of key restaurant professionals have been working diligently for the past few years to turn Washington, DC into one of the great beer cities of the United States. With DC based breweries like DC Brau, Three Stars and Chocolate city in operation and great beer bars like Pizzeria Paradiso, Brasserie Beck, Churchkey, etc. doing record setting business the only thing the District needs now is great
brewpubs.

Selling house-brewed beer in reusable containers, aka “growlers” is a cornerstone of brewpub culture in the United States. Passing the Sustainable Bottle Amendment Act of 2011 would allow brewpubs to expand their market and be the final step in making Washington, DC a city know for great beer.”

You can sign here.

Dear PoP – Any Update on the Caribbean Festival?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rjs1322

“Dear PoP,

Any follow-up from the Mayor or Councilmembers’ offices on the status of the Caribbean festival?”

Neither the Mayor, CM Bowser or CM Graham responded to my query on twitter. I was later able to inquire, via email, with Pedro Ribeiro, the Mayor’s Communications Director, who told me:

“The District has not received payment and no permit has been issued.”

More info as it becomes available.

The 5pm Post – Mayor Vincent C. Gray to Announce Release of Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user jleathers

Office of Planning Study Highlights Innovative Approaches to Successful Commercial Districts

WHAT/WHO: Mayor Vincent C. Gray will announce the release of the District’s Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit, which evaluates the essential elements required to create and maintain outstanding retail areas and offers a customizable toolbox of strategies and implementation steps to improve retail corridors.

WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 2012
10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Yes! Organic Market
4100 Georgia Avenue NW
(Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro Station)

BACKGROUND: The Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit, developed by the D.C. Office of Planning (OP) and its consultant partner Streetsense, incorporates research on best practices and innovative approaches to managing successful commercial districts. The document also uses metrics that assess the level of retail demand, accessibility, location, mix and format. The Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit is a follow-up to OP’s  Retail Action Strategy and Retail Action Roadmap, released in 2010.

The District’s evolving retail economy is an opportunity for the city to grow its tax base and become more fiscally sound. Retail can create new jobs, enhance neighborhood amenities, provide convenient access to goods and services for residents, generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue and reduce the phenomenon of residents leaving the city to buy what they need or want. Investments in emerging commercial corridors are bringing new retail energy to neighborhoods; however, as with retail areas across the nation, retail streets in the District face a variety of challenges. The Vibrant Retail Streets Toolkit is a guide designed to take advantage of renewed interest in urban markets by retailers as well as the District’s growing population who choose our increasing number of walkable, bikeable, transit-rich neighborhoods to shop and access services in the city.

Study/Toolkit Overview:
The study evaluates the essential elements of outstanding retail areas and offers a customizable toolbox of programs, incentives, and implementation steps to improve retail streets. The toolkit incorporates research on best practices and innovative approaches to managing successful commercial districts and also uses retail metrics that assess the level of retail demand and accessibility and location mix and format. The study offers guidance on key retail issues such as retailers’ site location considerations and decision-making processes, as well as how neighborhoods can measure, gauge and spark retail vibrancy. The analysis and toolkit will equip retailers, landlords, business and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and government agencies with the tools needed to support more dynamic retail streets.

Dear PoPville – How Do I Open a Pop Up Store?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

Dear PoPville,

Friends and I want to organize a pop up store where local vendors could sell their products (both crafts and edible products). I am having a hard time figuring out what permits would be needed from the DC government. I read their website and perused through the permit categories and I am super confused. I am thinking that I will definitely need permits because vendors will be selling packaged food and I envision them giving samples. Someone mentioned that I may not need permits if the the event is held at a restaurant or related facility that would already have a food permit. Any help to point me in the right direction would be appreciated.

Bars to be able to Stay Open/Serve Alchohol Later?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user pjcoleman

The Washington Post’s Mike Debonis tweeted about the Mayor’s proposed budget:

“New revenue initiatives include ‘expanded sales hours for alcoholic beverages’ ($5.3M) — told sales will be allowed till 4 a.m.”

and a little more detail:

“Gray budget proposal on bars: Weekday close at 3 a.m.; weekend close at 4 a.m. Allow liquor stores to open 7 a.m.”

Good idea for raising revenues?

Now’s a Good Time to Plant a New Tree (and get a Rebate!)

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user dcjabbour

From a press release:

Spring is an ideal time to plant trees and Casey Trees offers rebates up to $100 per tree to individuals who plant trees on private property — residential or commercial — in the District.

Small and medium canopy trees — including standard-size fruit and trees — are eligible for rebates up to $50 per tree, as long as the tree reaches 15 feet tall and wide at maturity. Seven genera and 27 species noted for their large canopy and environmental benefits qualify for rebates up to $100 per tree. There is no limit to the number of rebates per property.

Invasive tree species and any species of ash, dwarf trees and shrubs do not qualify for a rebate of any amount.

To help customers identify rebate-eligible tree stock, many D.C.-area nurseries and home improvement centers are promoting the program in their stores with promotional signage and special tree tags. However, trees may be purchased from any store and through landscaping and landscape architecture companies.

The Tree Rebate program is funded by the District Department of the Environment.

Downloadable rebate forms, submission instructions and a complete list of trees eligible for the increased rebate are available at www.caseytrees.org/rebate.

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