I love the fact that there is an ice cream man outside of the DC USA. It makes it feel more like a community than just a sterile mall. And based on the five minutes I hung around, Tito seemed to be doing very well this past Saturday. Maybe the only thing cooler would be a real Italian Ice guy…
Thanks to a reader for sending the cool news. The reader writes: “Did you see Designed to Sell on HGTV last night? It featured a Wardman row house on Parkwood Place and highlighted all the cool architectural details of these “rare” homes. They called our hood “prime real estate location” and said that homes typically sell between $500,000 and $750,000.”
HGTV’s Web site says: “Columbia Heights in Washington, D.C. is a prime real estate location, but homeowner Kenley Moy’s house doesn’t quite fit the bill. His 1910 row house is a unique property that was built by a famous real estate developer, however, its true personality and grace are hidden under too much white paint. Luckily, the Designed to Sell team is on their way over.”
Pretty cool stuff. You can check out all the before and after photos here.
I think someone commented on these but one day, one day, mine will look like this as well…
A reader writes: “I wanted to draw your lens to one that I am sure you’ve seen and thought about. It may be simultaneously the best and the worst sign in Columbia Heights and Petworth taken together. Yes, I’m talking about the Tivoli sign.
On the up side – it’s historic, it’s a landmark, there are two of them, it evokes a 19th century Danish garden …
On the down side – no one seems to be in charge of replacing the burnt out light bulbs.”
So have you noticed many light bulbs that need replacing? Otherwise do you dig this sign the most?
I can’t believe I never noticed this Joan D’arc before. Unfortunately her sword has broken but otherwise pretty cool. Check out some other statues from the park after the jump. Which is your favorite?!–more–>
Now offering Lox! Holy cow. If we could just get some good bagels in this city…
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.
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…)
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…)
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.