Columbia Heights

An Appreciation of Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Now I walk a lot. That is probably obvious by now. And I walk at a pretty brisk pace as well. I don’t know if it’s my New York upbringing but, you know, I have this illness where I have to be on the move. I also sometimes hallucinate but that is neither here nor there. What I’m writing about is the fact that today I actually slowed down. I got to an interview about an hour early and just sat down near 13th Street and Kenyon. If you ever forget how awesome Columbia Heights is, I suggest you do the same. The diversity of people who walked by me was staggering. While surrounded by incredible rowhouses, I heard some amazing Spanish music. I saw folks walking by with Yoga mats rolled up and hung across their backs. I saw, perhaps, some of the cutest kids on the eastern seaboard. I saw folks in their Sunday finest. And the language too. I heard people speaking Spanish and I also heard some very course street slang that was no less beautiful and poetic to my ears. People from all walks of life sauntered past me and the one thing they had in common was that they were all happy, which was a beautiful thing to see.

Le Jour De Gloire Est Arrive or Julia’s Empanadas Finally Open in Columbia Heights!

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. It feels like even longer than the anticipation of the Target opening. And of course it was well worth the wait. The Saltena was superb. And there is very comfortable seating inside which makes the experience even more pleasant. So next time you are looking for a snack when you’re near the Tivoli you know where to go. And say hi because odds are I’ll be there with a Saltena and Tradewinds Iced Tea. Is there a better combination than that? Check out some more photos after the jump. (more…)

DDOT Projects Completed Pedesterian Plaza in Columbia Heights in July 2009

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending me the below lengthy email from DDOT improvements in Columbia Heights including the building of the Pedestrian Plaza.  You know the spot now that has all the damn pebbles.  I’m not going to hold my breath on July 2009.  I also saw a date of 2011 but I’m not sure what that’s referring to.  Anyway, it sounds like it is going be pretty sweet when finished.   What do you think?

Dear resident:

Over the last several weeks, as the DC USA project finished and the new retail shops started to open, DDOT staff has received many communications from the neighborhood concerned about DDOT’s commitment to continue with the implementation of the Public Realm Plan developed with the community over the course of the last several years.  This evening members of the DDOT team and I met with the Columbia Heights Public Realm Project Community Leaders group and provided the briefing listed below.  I want to take this opportunity to reach out to the entire community to reiterate DDOT’s commitment to implementing the plan. (more…)

For My Vegan Friends

By Prince Of Petworth

Columbia Heights Coffee now stocking vegan treats. They, er, uh, look tasty. But I do think it is cool that they have it as an option.

Shoppers at Target Robbed at Gunpoint?

By Prince Of Petworth

This tip just in from a reader:

“The new Target was just robbed. A friend of mine tried to go shopping there but can’t get in because the place is closed and surrounded by cop cars. Apparently, five people were robbed at gunpoint upon exiting the store.”

Yikes. Can anyone confirm?

UPDATED: I’m going to have to agree with the sentiment that this is probably just a rumor.

Beer, Burgers, Tube Socks and a Mariachi Band at the Target Opening Party

By Prince Of Petworth

I’m not going to lie. I am no stranger to drinking beers and listening to a Mariachi band. I think it is one of life’s great pleasures. I just never thought I’d be drinking beers and listening to a Mariachi band in a Target…on a Tuesday night. And it was a truly beautiful thing. So thanks to a reader for hooking me up with their ticket to the Target festivities in Columbia Heights. I am forever in your debt. There was a huge turnout and I was happy to see a nice mix of regular neighborhood residents as well as folks who I imagine are part of DC’s “elite”. Let me say Target went all out. You couldn’t turn a corner without running into a band, a bar, food or a Target employee asking if they could help you find something. Obviously the first thing I asked help in finding was tube socks. Ok, first I had a couple of beers. Ok, then I had a burger and sweet potato fries. Ok, then I listened to the Mariachi band and some bongo drummers and then the Mariachi band again. But then I was whisked straight to the tube socks. The tube socks were a little anti climactic, I’ll admit, because I couldn’t find any with sweet racing stripes. But did I mention that there was a Mariachi band? Too cool. As for the Target it is gigantic. It actually has two floors and stocks just about anything you could possibly imagine. (Ed. note: This was actually my first time inside a Target.) As you may have imagined after the jump check out tons of cool pictures of the party and the store. (more…)

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