Columbia Heights

The 5pm Post – Columbia Heights Day/DC State Fair, Sat. Aug. 28th

By Prince Of Petworth


Contestant from last year’s CH Day cupcake eating contest

My favorites – the petting zoo and the cupcake eating contest! But I’m super psyched to check out the DC State Fair as well this year.

From an email:

WHEN: Saturday, August 28
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

WHERE: Harriet Tubman Elementary Field – 11th & Kenyon streets NW
Just 3 blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro – Green and Yellow lines

HIGHLIGHTS:

– Two stages of live music and dance performances
– Petting Zoo & Kids Zone, featuring fun games and family entertainment
– “Taste of Columbia Heights” food booths and popular DC food trucks
– First-ever “DC State Fair” with prizes for best homemade pie or cupcake, homegrown tomato and more
– Columbia Heights Community Marketplace farmers’ market
– Cupcake eating contest, sponsored by Sticky Fingers Bakery
– NEW! King & Queen of Columbia Heights competition
– Morning yoga workshop from Quiet Mind Yoga, Dog Show and neighborhood bike tour
– Appearances by city officials and political candidates
– More than 80 local businesses and community groups
– All-day specials at neighborhood restaurants and bars
– Even more performances all day at BloomBars (3222 11th St. NW)
– After Hours Party post-festival at neighborhood bars, sponsored by OnTap

Full schedule after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – District Dept of the Env Closed the 11th and Monroe Park

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Apparently on Friday (I was out of town Fri–Sun but hear this from a neighbor) there was demo work being done on the building one up from the northeast corner of 11th and Monroe NW. They failed to properly seal the building and some nasty dust flew out as a result, coating the alley running perpendicular to Monroe between 13th and 11th. Enough of this got into the park at 11th and Monroe that the District Department of the Environment closed it down for testing.

It’s lead that they’ve determined is in the area. Anyone who has visited the park or lives nearby can get tested at some place around 14th and Girard. I haven’t heard back from DDOE, but apparently they’ve had lots of folks at the site during the day. Hopefully other people have better info. I got back home late tonight so most of the folks who hang out in the park (and who are now displaced onto the sidewalk) had gone home and no one was sitting on the stoop with news.

I don’t know if you know anything about the building in question (one unit up on the east side of 13th, north of Monroe), but it’s been empty/boarded up since I moved into the area in November. I’d say the rumor is that it was the cause of the contamination, but I haven’t heard that from anyone 100% in the know.”

Crazy, I saw the testing truck driving away down 11th St, NW last night. Thanks to all who sent emails about this.

Huge Geyser at 14th and Euclid St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader sends in the above photo around 9am 8:15am and notes that police are on the scene at 14th and Euclid St, NW. Though he didn’t see work crews on the scene yet. If you’re commuting downtown, might want to steer clear of this section of 14th St for the moment.

Columbia Heights Walking Tour Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

This sounds fun. Tickets cost $15 and the tour runs from 3-5pm. From Washington Walks:

AUGUST 29
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
The 14th Street corridor between Irving Street and Park Road was one of Washington’s most important shopping and entertainment destinations outside downtown. That is until April 4, 1968, when riots following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sparked extensive looting and burning of commercial property. For decades afterwards, boarded-up businesses and empty lots marred the formerly vibrant Columbia Heights. Nearly 40 years later, change has swept the area once more: the opening of the Columbia Heights Metrorail station in 1999 spurred construction of apartment buildings, row houses, and the massive shopping complex D.C. USA.

Led by Brian Kraft, lead researcher, “Cultural Convergence: Columbia Heights Neighborhood Heritage Trail”

Meets outside COLUMBIA HEIGHTS METRO STATION’s north exit by the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail sign

SportsZone Coming to DC USA in Columbia Heights and other retail news

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

It’s not as exciting as a French bakery but I still thought folks would be interested in the update. I’ve just learned that the newest tenant coming to DC USA will be a SportsZone. They are a sports and apparel company with locations in MD, VA and DC. They’ll be located between the Lane Bryant and Staples on the 14th St, NW side. They are looking to open by the end of Nov.

The IHOP also aims to open by the end of Nov. and they’ll be located on the Irving St, NW side.

Finally I’ve been getting tons of reader inquiries about Ellwood Thompson’s grocery store. Last we heard they planned to start construction sometime in July with a target completion date of Mid-January. Sadly that did not happen. I am hearing that all the ducks are in a row but that more investors are being sought. I’m not exactly sure what that means but I’m certainly not going to hold my breath for a January opening, sadly. More updates as they become available.

Dear PoP – Laptop stolen from Tynan’s Coffee & Tea in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

I was working from the table in the window by the door at Tynan’s Cafe at the CH metro Thursday around 7pm. I stood up and turned my back on my computer while talking to a friend who had arrived to say hello, still within close proximity of the computer. A teenager (who had apparently been casing the place with his friends earlier) stepped inside, made eye contact with my friend and smiled, grabbed the computer, and sprinted off into the metro. He disappeared. No one stopped him, despite being a running young kid carrying a computer with my friend yelling after him.

Please let people know to avoid sitting by the door in cafes with their computers.”

Sorry to hear this. Definitely keep a close eye on your computers when at a cafe.

Good Deal or Not? “utilitarian but underneath is tons of character and charm” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1646 Park Road, NW:


View Larger Map

The flier says:

“Owned by the Missionaries of Charity and very well cared for. House has been made very sparse and utilitarian but underneath is tons of character and charm. Large rooms filled with lots of light. Has 2 parking spaces in back with electric gate. Walking distance to Metro & Columbia Heights shopping corridor. On Sentri-lock, vacant, go anytime. Sold As-Is.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

Thanks to a reader for sending this one in. Back in July a reader had noticed that the shrine had been removed out front. Now we know why. Does $649,000 sound reasonable for this 4 bed/2.5 bath house?

Dear PoP – Help a new bakery come to Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I’d love to get your readers’ thoughts on a business my family is trying to open. It’s a French coffee shop and bakery, with authentic French pastries and several varieties of bread– including real baguettes!– baked on site. We’re thinking wi-fi, comfy chairs and good coffee. It’s the sort of Mom and Pop operation where the proprietors will get to know their regulars, and take special orders, and keep little treats on hand for your kids.

We’ve found what seems to be an ideal spot, in DC USA. However, the main office of the development company has been blowing us off for months. The good folks of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights are excited about our proposal, but have also expressed frustration with the passive resistance of the head office. It’s true, we don’t come with the backing of a nationwide chain. This is, however, a local, woman-owned business, exactly the sort of thing that the developers claimed they would be seeking out. We’ve just about given up on this property, but Jim Graham’s office has indicated some willingness to facilitate between us and the landlord; it’s too early to know if anything will come of that.

So if you think this sounds like the sort of place you might patronize, let’s hear it! Maybe some support from the community, along with our solid business plan, long small-business experience, and singleminded determination, will encourage the landlord to talk to us. We’d also love to hear suggestions for elements that would make you love a bakery/coffee shop even more.”

This sounds amazing. I’d definitely support it! I’m really frustrated reading about your experience. I can’t believe some people would rather have these store fronts sit empty than have a promising business like this. Would you guys like to see a bakery like this go into the DC USA? If so, show your support and let’s help them make it happen.

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