History - PoPville

HRC’s Director of Consumer Marketing, Cassidy Karakorn, Killed in a Scooter Crash on Florida Ave, NE Saturday Night

Published August 29, 2017 at 1:00PM

via Facebook

From MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Unit are investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred in the 1100 block of Florida Avenue, Northeast, on Saturday, August 26, 2017.

At approximately 11:17 pm, a Piaggio scooter was eastbound on Florida Avenue, Northeast in the far left lane of travel. The operator of a Volkswagen Touareg was also traveling eastbound on Florida Avenue, Northeast in the far right lane. The driver of the Touareg attempted to make a U-turn from the far right late to go westbound on Florida Avenue, Northeast. As the Touareg crossed the left lane of travel, the scooter struck the driver’s side rear of the Touareg. Directly following the crash, the driver of the Touareg stopped his vehicle and, along with other witnesses, attempted to assist the operator of the scooter. DC Fire and EMS arrived on the scene and transported the operator of the scooter to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 39 year-old Cassidy Karakorn, of Northeast, DC.

The case is currently under investigation by the Major Crash Investigations Unit. Anyone with information regarding this case should call 202-727-9099.”

From the Human Rights Campaign:

“The HRC Family is mourning the loss of our beloved colleague and friend, Cassidy Karakorn. Over her 17-year career at the Human Rights Campaign, Cassidy tirelessly championed civil rights for the LGBTQ community. As Director of Consumer Marketing, Cassidy’s eye for fashion and art made a transformative impact on HRC and helped us reach more people than ever before. Her work was often deeply and profoundly moving; this past June, she worked with renowned artist Meghan Geckler to bring to life an eight story public art installation remembering the 49 lives taken in the Pulse Nightclub shooting and other victims of hate violence. (more…)

“OG owner/founder of Greek Spot Passed Away in June”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published August 23, 2017 at 3:15PM

Gregory Gabriel Kavadias via Facebook

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I didn’t see this covered on your blog but thought it should be since the Greek Spot has been such an institution/go-to for numerous years in the U street area.

We were pretty taken aback/saddened by the news of Gregory Gabriel Kavadias‘ passing, when we got takeout from greek spot tonite for first time in a few months. They had a sign up honoring the life of Gregory. I remember him from the very beginnings of their opening. Beyond being the purveyor of some delicious food, he was always super personable and it was nice to chat with him about various happenings, from food to family to music. (more…)

UPDATE: AMC Cancels Plans!! Historic Preservation Notice Posted for the Uptown Theater to Remove Iconic Sign and Replace with an AMC Sign

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 31, 2017 at 9:30AM | Updated July 31, 2017 at 7:38PM

3426 Connecticut Ave, NW

UPDATE from the Cleveland Park listserv:

“I’m delighted to share that AMC’s Director of Corporate Communications, Ryan Noonan, has announced the following:

In response to community feedback, AMC will maintain the Uptown signage, with an upgrade to LED lighting for better energy efficiency and to ensure the sign remains in good working order. We continue to evaluate additional exterior signage plans, including the addition of the AMC brand on the theatre. We appreciate the passion and feedback from the community, and look forward to serving moviegoers at AMC Uptown 1 for years to come.

I will share any additional information as it becomes available.

Thank you,
Emma Hersh
ANC 3C05″

So let’s say your neighborhood loses two of its most popular restaurants, what could possibly be worse than that? C’mon down AMC Theatres!!!!! JFC. Thanks to all who messaged. (more…)

“Cool ‘Disco’ Dan, passed away on July 26, 2017 due to complications from diabetes.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 28, 2017 at 2:00PM

via The Legend of Cool “Disco” Dan

Thanks to a reader for passing on from the The Legend of Cool “Disco” Dan Facebook Page:

“With heavy hearts, we are saddened to report that Danny Hogg, known worldwide as Cool “Disco” Dan, passed away on July 26, 2017 due to complications from diabetes.

Like most people in the Washington DC area, we knew Cool “Disco” Dan’s mythic graffiti signature before coming to know him as a person. We were teenagers in the early 1990s and this name was everywhere. His signature really was mythic, because in our circles, tall tales abounded about the Dan behind the name.

With a name so big and so famous, one expects an enormous, superhuman character to be behind it. Yet Dan – Danny Hogg – was short, with dark skin and an ability to become almost invisible even as he stood right in front of you. He was quiet and avoided eye contact. But he wasn’t unfriendly, you just had to be patient as he overcame his shyness to become the laughing, smiling storyteller he could be when he was comfortable. (more…)

Rest in Peace Jim Vance

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 22, 2017 at 1:15PM

From new Ben’s Chili Bowl Mural on U Street

A sad day for the District of Columbia.

From NBC Washington‘s president and general manager Jackie Bradford:

“We are heartbroken to announce that Jim Vance died this morning.

For more than 45 years, Jim Vance was not only the soul of NBC4 but of the entire Washington area. His smooth voice, brilliant mind and unforgettable laugh leaves each of us with a tremendous void.

Vance told viewers earlier this year that he was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Vance joined the NBC station in 1969 and moved to the anchor chair in 1972.”

Sad news. Our great News4 and community friend Jim Vance has died. An honor to have known & worked with him. pic.twitter.com/AeogiIHo19

— Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) July 22, 2017

Jim Vance was not just a newscaster but a voice and leader of this city – a legend who will be missed greatly. pic.twitter.com/8bm1WGMHr5

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) July 22, 2017

Ride on, Jim Vance, ride on. Our great NBC4 anchor & community leader has died. Keep him in your hearts. pic.twitter.com/rqvxEtU448

— Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) July 22, 2017

Streets of Washington Presents: Providence Hospital, Washington’s Oldest, in Pictures

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 20, 2017 at 4:00PM

Streets of Washington, written by John DeFerrari, covers some of DC’s most interesting buildings and history. John is the author of Historic Restaurants of Washington, D.C.: Capital Eats, published by the History Press, Inc. and also the author of Lost Washington DC.

Providence Hospital on Capitol Hill, circa 1910 (author’s collection).

Just a few blocks south of the Library of Congress once stood the city’s largest and most prestigious hospital, founded in the urgent, needy days at the dawn of the Civil War. Because the modern Providence Hospital is now located in Brookland, it can be easy to forget how important this institution was for the rapidly growing central city in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Providence pioneered modern hospital practices at a time when Washington sorely needed them. (more…)

Cool New Banners Showcasing the History of the Uline Arena

By Prince Of Petworth

Published July 19, 2017 at 10:05PM

And thanks to Susan for also sending this cool update:

“Banners hung this week on parking garage on 3rd St NE side of Uline/REI”

I Don’t Get Many Press Releases from Germany But When I Do

By Prince Of Petworth

Published June 30, 2017 at 1:30PM

courtesy Karlsruhe Tourismus GmbH

From a press release:

“Karlsruhe – inspiration for Washington, D.C.’s street design

Did you ever wonder about D.C.’s extraordinary street layout?

It all began during Thomas Jefferson’s term as American ambassador to France (1785-1789). His interest in the arts and architecture made him travel extensively throughout France, Northern Italy and Germany. It was then that he also visited Karlsruhe, the northern gateway to the Black Forest. He was impressed with the fan-shaped layout of the city with all the main streets radiating from the baroque palace, which had been built some 70 years earlier.

As a matter of fact, Karlsruhe impressed Thomas Jefferson so much that he sent a sketch of the city’s layout to Pierre L’Enfant, a French-born architect who had served on General George Washington’s staff at Valley Forge. It was in 1791, when then President George Washington appointed him to plan the new capital, that he used Thomas Jefferson’s sketch of Karlsruhe as inspiration for the design of Washington, D.C. (more…)