Photos by MD Calabro
Thanks to MD for sharing the 30 year time warp from 17th and R: “a friend asked me to retake a photo took in the past at at a similar view. Here is my first set in DuPont 17/R.”
History
Capital Checkers, 9th and S Street, NW
Ed. Note: I’ve been concerned this might happen here since 2015.
“Capital Checkers was founded in 1985 by a group of dedicated players looking to create a more formal community. As DC has evolved, so has the organization. But some things never change: our commitment to the community, our passion for the game, and our friendships with each other.”
From an email:
“After 40 years as a DC cultural institution, Capital Checkers will soon be forced to close its doors in Shaw. Long time renters at 815 S St NW, the landlord has decided to sell the property and the club must leave by the end of March! (more…)
2329 Champlain Street, NW
A reader reports some movement from Champlain Street:
“I sent emails to a bunch of people trying to see what is going to be happening in that space: (more…)
|
From Congresswoman Norton’s office:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter requesting that the National Park Service (NPS) change the name of Melvin Hazen Park in the District of Columbia and work with the community to find a more suitable name. Hazen helped demolish the African American community in the D.C. neighborhood then known as Reno City. Norton noted in her letter that NPS appears to have the authority to change the name without congressional action because the name was designated administratively.
The full text of the letter is below. (more…)
Photo by Rafa Aremu
Ed. Note: Earlier today Mayor Bowser proclaimed today “A Day of Remembrance for Lives Lost to COVID-19” as the District surpassed 1,000 lives lost due to Covid-19.
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser lost her only sister and oldest sibling, Mercia Bowser. The Mayor released the following statement on the passing of her sister:
“My family and I are mourning the loss of my sister, Mercia Bowser, who passed away this morning due to complications related to COVID-19. Mercia was loved immensely and will be missed greatly, as she joins the legion of angels who have gone home too soon due to the pandemic. I ask that you continue to keep those who have been lost or impacted by the pandemic and those who are working so hard to protect us from it in your thoughts and prayers, and I respectfully request that my family and I are granted the time and space we need to mourn the loss of Mercia. (more…)
16th and Florida Ave, NW
Zay asks us: “what is this?”
This curiosity used to come up every year but it was last asked back in 2016. They are the remaining columns from the Henderson Manor Garden at 16th and Florida Ave, NW.
The Post’s Answerman dug up the full story. In part:
“Burnap’s 16th Street garden featured an open lawn bordered with shrubbery. A high wall faced Florida Avenue and turned the corner at 16th before stepping down to a low wall and ornamental iron fence. At the rear of the property, four Doric columns held up a hanging garden. Most striking was the intricate latticework that covered most of the interior walls.” (more…)
Photo by Tim Brown
From an email: “The Washington National Cathedral will toll its funeral bell 500 times this coming Monday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. ET, in memory of the 500,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19.”
“Dear PoPville,
The chef-owner of Pesce in Dupont Circle, Andrew La Porta, suddenly passed away on Friday, Feb 5th. He is survived by his wife and two small children. It seems they’re closing the restaurant according to a report. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family. I wonder if you can post something to let the community know and support his family? Thank you very much.”
via GoFundMe
From the GoFundMe:
“Andrew La Porta passed away of natural causes on Friday, February 5th, 2021. He was only 48 years old. (more…)
1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (alley)
Potentially painful news from NBC Washington:
“One of the most iconic music venues in the world and a landmark in Washington, D.C., that has been closed due to the pandemic is unlikely to reopen at its original site.
The owner of the building, Snyder Properties, says the building is now for sale.
The owner of the property and the owner of the business said talks between the two sides have stalled.”
Blues Alley’s website says:
“2021 marks the 56th continuous year that we have been serving the jazz population of our Nation’s Capital (more…)
Oscar asked: “Watching a doc and this video popped up. What are those building?”
and Captanne shares another cool photo:
From the National Park Service:
“Built for “temporary” service during WWI two enormous buildings occupied the land between Constitution Avenue and the reflecting basin. Construction of the four-story steel- and-concrete buildings took less than six months. The buildings were known as the Main Navy Building and the Munitions Building. They were erected under the auspices of assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt to accommodate a rapidly expanding war-time military bureaucracy. Little did anyone know that the buildings would survive through Roosevelt’s four terms as president and well beyond.”
and others add: (more…)