Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
Thanks to all for sending word/uploading photos of last night’s Christmas Tree lighting in CH Plaza. It is my understanding that the tree was donated and the event was organized by the District Church. The tree was lit last night at 6pm. For those that braved the cold – how was the event?
Photo by PoPville flickr user fivepercentyak
Couple more shots by fivepercentyak after the jump. (more…)
A couple of weeks ago we learned that a new Ethiopian restaurant had opened up at 3521 14th St, NW in the old Catti Mexican Restaurant space. Early reports are very positive. I was happy to see that they’ve recently applied for a liquor license. The space is small and modest (Seating capacity is 48) but I’ve found that places like this can have the best food.
Photo of ‘Tubman Elementary School field’ by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up about the President’s visit this morning to Harriet Tubman School at 3101 13th Street NW in Columbia Heights:
On Monday, December 13, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver remarks and the President will sign into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 at Harriet Tubman Elementary School located in Washington, D.C. The President and the First Lady will be joined by Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Congress, and advocacy group leaders who worked diligently to promote and ultimately pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Teachers, students, and parents from Harriet Tubman Elementary School and from local schools will also participate in the event.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 will improve the quality of school breakfasts, lunches and other foods sold in schools while also strengthening nutrition programs that serve young children, including WIC and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The bill is an important advancement of the Obama Administration’s goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, which First Lady Michelle Obama has championed through the Let’s Move! Initiative.
You can watch the event live here. It should start around 10:30am.
Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is an Associate Broker with Urban Pace. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Featured Property: 748 Princeton Place NW
Legal Subdivision: Columbia Heights
Original List Price: $598,000.
List Price at Contract: $569,000.
List Date: 09/18/2010
Days on Market: 48
Settled Sales Price: $575,000.
Settlement Date: 11/30/2010
Seller Subsidy: $20,000.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional
Original GDoN is: here.
The Listing can be seen: here. To see pics of each listing open the listing link, click on the main pic, and scroll through.
Purchased as a foreclosure in May for $324,000., this property was back on the market completely renovated by September. Although it hung around for over a month on the market, it sold at a net of $555,000.
The recent owners of 748 Princeton Place NW travel under the name of Superior Properties, LLC. In 2010 alone, they show up on record as having purchased a total of six properties (including the subject), all located in Petworth and Columbia Heights. Of those six properties, one is active, one has not yet hit the market, one is under contract, and three have sold. If you’re interested in other examples of their work, you can see those listings here.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
Kenyon House 1349 Kenyon St, NW
“Dear PoP,
I got a notice yesterday in the mail about this hearing. It’s regarding this propsal, The building on Kenyon is currently occupied and the one on Park looks mostly vacant. Since the hearing involves both these properties, which are adjacent, I wonder if the developer will try to connect the two? I also don’t really know the significance of the zoning change or why they would pursue it. Another question is what will happen with the current residents – during and after the construction?
As a resident on this block I’m quite curious about this proposal and what it might mean for the neighborhood. Both properties are quite large so anything done on them would be a big deal for the neighborhood.”
Wow, it’ll be very interesting to track the developments here. More info as it becomes available.
1346 Park Road NW
Details after the jump. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
“Dear PoP,
Do you or other readers know any details about the Tree Lighting today? I was lucky enough to get tickets. How long will the event last? Any tips for navigating the crowds? Can i get there at 4:30 and find a space?”
Anyone who went last year or a previous year have any advice? How long do the performances last? Regarding transit, personally if I were driving – I’d park very far away though if at all possible I’d bundle up and walk to metro.
Dr. Gridlock from Washington Post says:
The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday on the Ellipse, south of the White House. According to the District Department of Transportation, the following streets will be closed beginning about 4:30 p.m. through the end of the event:
— 15th Street from Pennsylvania/E Street NW to Constitution Avenue.
— 17th Street from New York Avenue NW to Constitution.
Parking will be restricted on 15th and 17th streets from Pennsylvania to Constitution from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Dr. Gridlock advises that the best best for those with tickets to the ceremony is to take Metrorail to McPherson Square, Farragut North, Farragut West, Federal Triangle or Metro Center.”
You can see all the performers here and you can also catch the broadcast online here.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
And for those that can’t make it/didn’t get tickets – catch the Columbia Heights Christmas Tree Inaugural Lighting on Monday. From an email:
“The inaugural Columbia Heights Christmas tree will be lit on Monday, December 13. Everyone is invited to this neighborhood event!
Performances from local school choirs! Hot chocolate! Holiday cheer!
Where: Columbia Heights Plaza, 14th and Kenyon Streets NW
When: Monday, December 13, 6:00pm”
It’s been a long time since we had some good DC USA retail speculation/scuttlebutt. I’m hearing that Delectable Cakery is looking at the space next to Payless Shoes on the 14th St, NW side. According to their Web site:
From a very early age Derek Lowery enjoyed baking cakes with his mother. Mrs. Laurine Helen Lowery. Laurine Helen Lowery was an avid baker and constantly prepared desserts for her family every weekend and especially holidays. During Thanksgiving and Christmas it seemed like a commercial bakery at the Lowery home. There was an array of southern cakes, pies, and cookies. In 1988 Laurine Helen Lowery sent Derek an old family recipe for a cake made from fresh sweet potatoes.
He quickly prepared the cake and shared it at an office potluck; as a result of Derek serving the cake; two ladies had an argument over the last slice of cake that escalated into a “shoving match at the office potluck!” Inspiration was born and the rest is history. In 1998; Derek Lowery shared this cake with someone he sang with in the church choir; who in turn shared it with her co-workers at the “The Club at Franklin Square”. Within weeks, the Washingtonian Sweet Potato Cake was served in several DC area private clubs.
Soon after the Washingtonian Sweet Potato Cake was picked up by NORDSTROM and is currently served at Nordstrom Stores Espresso Bars in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and on the menu of numerous restaurants in DC and New York City, NY.Since passing away in 2005; the legacy of Laurine Helen Lowery lives on. We’re confident you will discover what so many others have come to know. The Washingtonian Sweet Potato CAKE is one in a million! Just as the inspiration for this incredible recipe. Mrs. Laurine Helen Lowery!
They currently have two locations in Mt. Rainier and Landover Hills, MD.
Now remember that this is all just scuttlebutt and I have no idea how far along/serious these discussions are. Personally, I think they would make a great addition to the neighborhood. At the very least it’ll be fun to compare sweet potato cakes with sweet potato pies… I’ll be sure to update when/if more info becomes available.
Ed. Note: This scuttlebutt should not be mixed up with the talks of a bakery coming to DC USA that we had back in August. I understand that that group is still looking for other locations in Columbia Heights.
Ed. Note: If you’re looking to rent a place out and are curious what is a realistic price send an email with ‘what’s a fair price’ in the title to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com. We can also do this for people selling their homes if interested.
“Dear PoP,
Sunny, beautiful, renovated 1 bedroom furnished condo unit available for rent in Columbia Heights. This condo is IDEAL for a couple or single person! The neighbors are great. I have enjoyed living here, but sadly I am relocating for work.
Amenities:
All new stainless steel appliances, FREE shared laundry facility, with large front-loading Energy Star washers/dryers, fully equipped kitchen, granite counters, wireless internet, hardwood floors, dual-flush toilet for efficient water use, central a/c and heat, high-recycled content carpet in bedroom, kitchen cabinets made of plantation-raised sustainable hardwood, new double pane Low-E windows, and Ultra-Low VOC paint. The unit can come furnished or unfurnished – your choice.
Utilities Included:
Water, recycling, and garbage disposal.
You pay only for electricity and cable/internet.
Additional Perks:
There is plenty of off-street parking available.
Email Zack @ [email protected]”
The reader is thinking $1650. That’s seems like the right ballpark. What do you guys think is a realistic price?
“Dear PoP,
There’s clearly a restaurant being built in only remaining vacant spot on Highland Park’s ground floor at 14th and Irving? I think way back in the day, it was supposed to be a Sake Club, but I’m guessing that fell through. Have they announced what’s taking its place?”
Yup, this is going to be a sports bar called Lou’s Restaurant and Bar. This is the same sports bar that was the subject of some scuttlebutt back in April ’09. Construction has started in earnest and I’m told a March/April opening is possible. Stay tuned for more details as construction progresses.
From an email:
“The community meeting regarding the upcoming local Walmart will be at the Emory United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 6100 Georgia Ave NW at 7:00 tonight. Foulger-Pratt Companies and ANC 4B04 will co-host the meeting.”
“Dear PoP,
We are in the final hours of a fundraiser to keep our doors open. We are facing an uphill battle and would greatly appreciate your help in blogging to spread the word about BloomBars’ fundraiser on IndieGoGo.com.