U Street

Literature & Martinis w/ Pours, Prose, and Poe at The Gibson Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth

literature_martinis_gibson

“LITERATURE AND MARTINIS | The Gibson Celebrates National Martini Day with Pours, Prose, and Poe.

In celebration of National Martini Day, Thursday, June 19, 6pm – 9pm!
The Gibson 2009 14th St, NW

Join The Gibson for “Literature & Martinis”, an evening featuring the sophisticated, strong and distinctly American cocktail at the specialty price of $10 and created by The Gibson’s master mixologist Franklin Jones and Jo-Jo Valenzuela plus pop-up performances of varying topics including classic American authors.

To attend please email your RSVP to [email protected].”

Driveby Shots Fired Monday 3:30pm on 1400 block of V Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader sends from CM Jim Graham posted on the U Street listserv:

“Dear friends ~~~Today [Monday] at 3:30 IN THE AFTERNOON there there was a drive-by shooting on 1400 block of V street NW. The only damage was to car windows but oh my god what might have happened!! I have been in touch with MPD~~~they are actively looking for information. All very grateful that nobody was hurt.

It brings to mind the shooting that occurred late last year at about the same location

Surely this must relate to some kind of gang beef or other insane behavior

Now asking MPD to release All relevant information

Councilmember jim graham”

Updates when more info is known/released

Bike Lane Blockage on 15th Street for Days

By Prince Of Petworth

15th_bike_lane_blockage

“Dear PoPville,

Attached is a picture of the 15th street bike lane at U street Sunday afternoon. I just don’t understand why it is allowed for this construction truck to block the bike lane, especially at such a busy intersection. Its dangerous. I live at nearby; I drive, I walk and I bike in the area. A few weeks back you posted a picture of a car blocking a bike lane — presumably those people would be ticketed and towed if left for days; why is this vehicle allowed to do so essentially without penalty? This willful disregard for the few safe paths is one of the reasons people who ride bikes feel unsafe in the city. And don’t get me started on the terrible light synchronization of the 15th street bike lane — you basically hit every red light riding at a medium pace…”

Henry’s Soul Cafe on U Street Damaged by Fire

By Prince Of Petworth

henry_soul_fire

A reader sends the terrible news:

“Sad morning news. Henry’s Soul Cafe at 17th and U — noted for sweet potato pies — looks to be destroyed by a fire. Several engines responded and U was closed in both directions.”

From @IAFF36 around 6:45am:

“Building Fire – 1704 U St NW – 1-story commercial bldg, smoke showing #DCFD #dctraffic

Update – 1704 U St NW – fire knocked down, checking for extension, searches negative #DCFD”

From @DCPoliceDept at 7:53am:

“UPDATE: The 1600-1800 Blocks of U Street, NW are NOW OPEN “

U Street Movie Series Kicks Off Wed. June 18th with MARLEY

By Prince Of Petworth

U_street_movies
Photo courtesy Friends of Harrison Recreation Center

From a press release:

“Friends of Harrison Recreation Center and the U Street Neighborhood Association is proud to presents the Fifth Annual U Street Movie Series – Harrison Field Under the Starts. From June to September, this FREE summer movie series is meant to honor the musical and culturally diverse roots of the Greater U Street Corridor.

WHO: Admission is free and donations are always welcome and appreciated
WHAT: MARLEY, 2012, film by Kevin MacDonald – FREE outdoor movie
WHERE: Harrison Recreation Center – 1300 V St. NW
WHEN: June 18, 2014 – Movie to begin after sundown (June 25 – rain date)

Additional dates and movies are:

July 16 – Talk to Me
August 20 – Chuck Brown: Put Your Hands Up!
September 17 – The Bayou: DC’s Killer Joint”

What’s the Story with the Seemingly Abandoned Bemmi Hardware?

By Prince Of Petworth

bemmi_hardware
12th and Florida Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Any idea what the deal is with this hardware store at 12th and Florida? Looks like they closed one day and just never came back.”

Ed. Note: Back in 2011 we talked about this building during a horse’s ass award nomination. At that time I was admonished for nominating them for a Horse’s ass award, really just using the language horse’s ass – but anyway a DCRA rep commented:

“We will be sending out a vacant property inspector tomorrow to the property to determine whether the property is entirely vacant. Under the D.C. vacant property tax law, the entire building must be vacant in order for it to be subject to either the Class 3 or Class 4 property tax rates.”

Not sure about the current tax status but I haven’t seen any movement at the hardware store since.

Dear PoPville – Anyone Know the Purpose of the Street Construction on 14th?

By Prince Of Petworth

photo 1

“Dear PoPville,

Two days of messy, loud construction on 1700 block of 14th street, nw — for what?

All they have done is first saw a wider path (along one that was already opened a few months ago and covered over), jack hammer all the asphalt, tap down the soil, lay plastic sheeting, then fill it all in with cement. Obviously (?) there is some purpose for this. Also, this is the same channel / ditch where the bus got stuck in the cement at 14th and S St.”

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Judging Music Venues – Lincoln Theatre

By Prince Of Petworth

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1215 U Street, NW

After a brief attempt at showing movies, last summer we learned that I.M.P., owners of the 9:30 Club, would run and book concerts for the then underutilized Lincoln Theatre. So now that’s it’s been almost a year – what do folks think? Do you like the acts that have been/are being booked? Do you like the venue itself? If you’ve gone who have you seen there? Is there still room for improvement or are you happy with the new management?

Love ‘n Faith Cafe Opens on 14th Street Friday

By Prince Of Petworth

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2420 14th Street, NW

Love ‘N Faith Community Café had a soft opening this past weekend and will open with regular hours starting on Friday. Summer hours are:

Friday – 7am to Midnight
Saturday 9am to Midnight
Sunday 11am to 10pm
Monday thru Wednesday 7am to 9
Thursday 7am to 10pm

Their Facebook page says:

“Love n’ Faith is a community cafe specializing in Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream, espresso- based drinks and gluten-free, naturally sweetened desserts.”

Thanks to the owners for sending a shot from the soft opening:

photo 1

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