Navy Yard

Art Yards Finale This Weekend in Navy Yard

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

” What: Art Yards, a month-long public arts project at The Yards, will culminate this weekend with a group exhibition by the renowned video projection mapping artist consortium 3_Search. Curated by NYC-based John Ensor Parker and Leo Kuelbs, the exhibition, titled “Illuminated Ops,” will feature works by Glowing Bulbs featuring John Ensor Parker, Integrated Visions, and United VJs. Illuminated Ops will turn the SE face of the former NGIA building into an 8,260 s.f. (five-story) canvas for stunning projected images. See examples of prior exhibitions here and here, and expect a teaser clip of the show on Thursday December 12th.

Like Art Yards itself, the fleeting nature of this final installation is perhaps its biggest draw. Since mid-November, Art Yards, which is co-sponsored by The Yards and the Capitol Riverfront BID, has transformed the monolithic government building into a large-scale public arts spectacle, receiving widespread praise and raising DC’s profile as a city for the arts. The installations will disappear when the building is demolished this winter.

To keep up-to-date, visit www.ArtYardsDC.com and follow #ArtYardsDC and The Yards on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about The Yards, visit www.dcyards.com.

Who: Open to the public.

When: Thursday thru Saturday Dec. 12th -14th
Presented on continuous loop 5:30 p.m. – midnight

Where: New Jersey Ave. SE at Tingey St. SE in The Yards”

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Illuminated Ops photo courtesy of Art Yards

Friday Question of the Day – Despite Neighborhood Concerns, Do You Think CSX Will be Allowed to Transport Hazardous Materials through Navy Yard/Capitol Hill?

By Prince Of Petworth

Yesterday The Inside Story Of The Plan To Send Hazardous Materials Straight Through The Heart Of D.C. was published:

“In the nation’s capital, commuter rails run underground and freight trains rarely stop so the risk of a serious hazmat incident due to a derailment is relatively low.

But that risk would significantly increase under a proposal by CSX which is currently being considered by the U.S. and D.C. Departments of Transportation. If approved, the company would dig a massive trench, and uncovered freight trains would carry crude oil and other hazardous materials in the open, less than 50 feet from the homes of families, children, and seniors and less than one mile from the U.S. Capitol building. A residential tree-lined block would be bowled over, dug out, fenced in, and would stay that way for at least five years.

The proposed open trench is part of a larger effort by CSX to reconstruct the Virginia Avenue Tunnel (VAT), an underground freight rail that extends from 2nd to 11th street in the historic Capitol Hill and Navy Yard neighborhoods of southeast D.C.”

You can read the full story here.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office writes:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today wrote Representative Tom Petri (R-WI), Chairman or the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, requesting a subcommittee hearing on the CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project. Norton said that while the tunnel affects her constituents, federal issues also are involved because the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the lead federal agency in the project. In her letter, Norton said, ”Although the project is an important component of the nation’s effort to add and update space for freight infrastructure, I do not believe there have been any oversight hearings.” Citing a meeting she held in the Capitol Quarter community in November, the Norton letter pointed to some of the outstanding issues involved in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) such as noise, air quality, and construction near homes and senior housing.

Norton’s community meeting heard presentations from CSX, FWHA, the D.C Department of Transportation, and questions and remarks from community residents. Norton said that at the meeting she and the community learned some information for the first time, but it became clear that many issues need federal oversight, including a proposed open trench during construction close to homes and senior housing, trains carrying hazardous material, rerouting during construction, and the experience of other districts where CSX has done similar work.”

Do you guys think CSX will be allowed to do this or do you think the neighborhood will be able to rally enough support to stop it?

Osterini Morini Now Open for Lunch in Navy Yard

By Prince Of Petworth

Osteria-Morini
Lumber Shed at 301 Water Street, SE

From a press release:

“Osteria Morini is now open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The new Italian restaurant by award winning Chef Michael White, which opened last month in the Capital Riverfront neighborhood, offers guests a selection of appetizers, salads, pastas and panini as well as two prix-fixe options from which to choose.

The One-Course Lunch, priced at $19 per person, comes with a choice of panino served with the guest’s choice of either tortellini in brodo or fennel and apple salad. The $25 per person Two-Course Lunch gives guests a choice of any pasta and a choice of either an antipasti to start or dolci to finish. Tax and gratuity are not included.

Executive Chef Matt Adler encourages guests to begin a la carte selections with a variety of cured meats, crostini, antipasti and other small starters to share, or dive straight into the traditional housemade pastas from the country’s north central region. Substantial salads, including an Adriatic style seafood salad and the Guanciale, with bitter greens, caramelized onion and poached egg mingle with entrées such as a Fritatta with mortadella, pecorino and arugula and the Pollo Arrosto, a roasted half chicken served with young Romaine and cacio e pepe. All lunch pastas, panini and entrees are priced between $12 and $23.

Osteria Morini also debuts its “7 for $7” happy hour, offering guests a rotating list of seven items for $7 from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday in the bar and lounge. Snacks such as Arancini with pomodoro and parmigiano fonduta, Mortadella sliders and Crispy ravioli with bolognese will be served to complement a selection of happy hour cocktails, wines and beers.”

Christkindl Market Open Today (Dec. 2) in Canal Park

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

From a press release:

“The smell of a fresh-cut Frasier fir, the taste of hot cocoa and the memories created from a handmade ornament—let Wahoo Enterprises, LLC transport you from the hustle and bustle of DC to Christmas in the countryside with the opening of the first Christkindl Market at Canal Park (canalparkdc.org).

From crafters to families to DOT employees on break, the Market has something for everyone, featuring elements such as Rudolph’s Roadside Stand and a Christmas Tree Forest designed to help bring the holiday season to DC. Located at 200 L Street SE, the Market will run from December 2 to December 22.

Specifically, the market will include:
Rudolph’s Roadside Stand: Warm up with good conversation and a cup of hot cocoa (or coffee) at Rudolph’s Roadside Stand.
Christmas Tree Forest: Select your perfect Douglas or Frasier fir, brought in fresh from the rolling countryside of Gettysburg, PA. Didn’t bring your SUV? No problem. The Christkindl Market also offers free tree delivery.
Local Music: Enjoy music of the season from a cappella groups and local musician Kayte Grace as you roam through the market.
Crafting Tables: Visit on a weekend, and you’ll find our crafting booths open to help guide you through the creation of your own one-of-a-kind wreath and tree ornament.
Ice Skating Rink: The ice skating rink will open in mid-December.

Christkindl Market will be open Monday to Thursday (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.); Friday (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.); Saturday (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.); and Sunday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)”

One Direction Coming to Nationals Park

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“One Direction announced today that the band will perform at Nationals Park – home of the Washington Nationals – on Monday, August 11, 2014 as part of the North American leg of their worldwide “Where We Are 2014” tour.

Tickets and parking will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, December 7 at 10:00 a.m., online at www.tickets.com and by phone at 888.632.6287. Nationals Season Plan Holders will be able to participate in a special pre-sale to purchase tickets. An email notification will be sent on December 3 for a December 5 and 6 pre-sale period. The show will be held rain or shine and will be promoted by Live Nation.

One Direction – Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson – formed in 2010 and have since amassed a loyal fan base and fame all across the globe. It has been an incredible year for the boys, as they took home a BRIT Award, three Billboard Music Awards, six TEEN CHOICE Awards, three MTV EMAs, two 2013 American Music Awards and a moonman for Best Song Of The Summer at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. With two albums to date, UP ALL NIGHT and TAKE ME HOME, the boys have sold more than 35 million records worldwide and have achieved a total of 67 No. 1 songs. One Direction made their movie debut in 2013 with their global No. 1 box office hit 3D concert movie, “One Direction: This Is Us.” Their new album, MIDNIGHT MEMORIES, which includes the worldwide smash hit, “Best Song Ever” and the current hit single, “Story Of My Life,” is available now.”

“We’re going to pour 200 gallons of paint down the M Street façade”

By Prince Of Petworth

Processed with VSCOcam
Photo by Ian Roche

From a press release:

“The Yards has arranged for seven internationally renowned artists to turn the monolithic former NGIA building into a public arts project called Art Yards. The fleeting installation, which will be completed by mid-December and demolished over the winter months, will feature Hawaii based artist Jasper Wong, DC based artist Kelly Towles, Australia based couple Dabs Myla, 3-D Acrylic/Chalk Street Artist Murals of Baltimore, and NY based mapping video artist trio 3_Search.

Art Yards kicks off November 20th with a bombastic event that will dump 200 gallons of Sherwin Williams paint down the M Street façade, creating a free-form artwork. The artists will then take turns transforming the rest of the building over the following weeks.

Who: Open to the public.
When: Wednesday, November 20
Roughly 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: M St SE at First St SE“

Osteria Morini Opening in Navy Yard Nov. 19th

By Prince Of Petworth

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Lumber Shed at 301 Water Street, SE

Thanks to a reader for sending from Osteria Morini:

“The wait is almost over…

We are thrilled to be opening Osteria Morini at The Yards Waterfront on Tuesday, November 19th.

Osteria Morini at the Yards introduces Washington, D.C. to the soulful cuisine and convivial spirit of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. In Italian, “Osteria” means a please where the owner “hosts” guests. It is a relaxed place to be with family and friends.

We look forward to hosting you at our Osteria at the Yards and begin your journey to Emilia-Romagna.

For reservations, please call 202.484.0660

Morini’s menus offers a wide array of smaller plates and larger composed platters by Executive Chef, Matt Adler. Guests are encouraged to begin their meal with a variety of cured meats, crostini, antipasti and other small starters to share. White’s signature pasta offerings are served with a variety of traditional ragus and delicately stuffed pastas from Emilia-Romagna. Meats also have a starring role in the entrees, especially the Carne ai Ferri (simply grilled meats and spit roasts). The wine list includes affordable wine selections focusing on the north central regions of Liguria, Umbria, Tuscany, Southern Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Le Marche, with sparkling wines like prosecco and lambrusco strongly represented. Osteria Morini showcases an extensive selection of Italian aperitifs and digestifs as well as a signature Italian-inspired cocktail list created by Eben Freeman, Altamarea Group’s Director of Bar Operations.

The décor certainly has inspiration from the original Osteria Morini in Soho, New York but also refects the mood and location of the DC Yards development. The rustic and convivial ambience features high ceilings and exposes a fully open chef’s kitchen for guests to enjoy the theatre of their meal unfolding before their eyes. “

Riverfront at the Ball Park Denied a Liquor License by ABRA

By Prince Of Petworth

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Rendering via ANC Rep David Garber

In May a liquor license application was posted for “Riverfront at the Ball Park” located in the lot at 25 Potomac Ave, SE:

“New Tavern, Food will come from various local restaurants nearby traditional and American cuisine. There will be a stage for live entertainment.”

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It was narrowly supported by the local ANC:

“Last night, at 12:30AM, a slim majority of ANC 6D finally supported the liquor license and concept for a new temporary outdoor venue just south of the ballpark. The venue will be a partnership of Taste of DC, United Social Sports (frisbee, kickball, bocce leagues), and others, and is planned to activate the vacant lot behind the stadium until it’s developed as soon as next year.”

ABRA has denied the liquor license:

“In this case, the Board determines that no adequate conditions exist that can fix Riverfront’s Application. First, the Board is not confident that MPD has sufficient resources to police the establishment and the surrounding streets during events at Riverfront; especially, when Riverfront is requiring some patrons to come to the establishment from off-site parking areas.

Second, as an undeveloped lot, Riverfront cannot prevent noise generated at the venue from bothering nearby residents. Supra, at 4, 13. Third, based on its proximity to South Capitol Street, S.E., the Board lacks confidence that Riverfront can ensure the safety of pedestrians. Supra, at 43-47. And fourth, the Board is unconvinced that approximately three foot bicycle racks and silt fences sufficiently block patrons from the river bordering the proposed location. Supra, at 4, IS, 21. Based on these issues, the Board lacks confidence that any conditions that the Board could impose would ensure the proposed establishment’s peaceful coexistence with surrounding residents and the safety of patrons and pedestrians.”

You can read the full ruling below:

Riverfront at the Ballpark – Order on Denial of License (PDF)

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