Hill East

“We can and must do better then this.”

By Prince Of Petworth


via Facebook

“Dear PoPville,

In light of all of the news lately where people have been flat out racist, from the Starbucks arrests to the more recent dorm room napping while black incident and the just renting an AirBnB while black situation, this is still happening in our own backyards. We can and must do better then this:

Today in Living While Black: Caleb had a bit of a fever today so I stayed home with him. Not wanting to spend the whole day inside, I took him on a walk to the Kingman Island park near our house. 30 minutes into our stroll I got flagged by a security officer in one of those cars marked “Special Police” on the side. I was a bit confused as to whether she was looking for me to stop but she honked twice and pulled over so I got the picture. She told me that she received a complaint from someone who said there was a “suspicious man” walking on the bike path with a baby. (more…)

Mark It! This Year’s Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival is June 9th

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“WHAT: Nestled between the banks of the historic Anacostia River, DC’s premier benefit music festival will return to Kingman and Heritage Islands Park for the 9th time to join the District in celebrating the Year of the Anacostia with crowds expected to exceed 10,000.

The Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival has a long history of representing musical talent from all wards of the city, surrounding regions, backgrounds, cultures, genders, old and young, and this year will be no exception.  With a diverse cast that includes several female- and African American-fronted bands that highlight the roots of bluegrass, folk, and Americana, this is another can’t miss event! (more…)

“People run and bike on the islands on a regular basis, so it’s a matter of when, not if, someone gets hurt down there and needs help.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

“Dear PoPville

This is a long story. The important part is at the end, with the asterisks.

I regularly walk my dog on Heritage and Kingman Islands just off the RFK parking lot at Benning Rd. and Oklahoma Ave NE.

This evening at about 6:45pm I happened upon some kids at one of the clearings on the west side of the gravel road that runs down the center of Kingman Island, the larger of the two islands.

This clearing has a small curved sidewalk and some large boulders; it’s the second area like this north of the Pennsylvania Avenue bridge.

The kids were standing next to a wooden trash can, which had a good sized fire burning inside it.

I looked away for a second, then looked back up, and they were gone.

As I got closer to the clearing, I saw a large amount of grass had also been burning – I’d estimate about a 30′ x 30′ patch. The perimeter of the patch was still on fire, flames about 4-6” high. (more…)

Safeway Closing, Get 30% Off, in Hill East – New Bigger Safeway Coming

By Prince Of Petworth


415 14th Street, SE. Photo by Mary Baumgard

Thanks to Mary for sending. Capitol Hill Corner reported in November:

“Construction will take 24 months. During that time, Safeway will be closed.

The current Safeway will be demolished. The new Safeway will be 60,000 square feet – 10,000 square feet larger than the current store. The developer said that the new store will be “bigger, better, fresher.”

Updates as construction progresses.

Loaf Coffee Temporarily Closed “While We Continue to Get Set Up”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a neighbor for sending an update on the Coffee Controversy Brewing in Hill East:

“This morning’s interpretive closure sign (photo attached). The “Loaf Lounge” shock jock segments certainly have not gone unnoticed by neighbors in this residential spot.

The prior business, Mia’s, had some clouds too. It had been operating without a license since 5/2017. And the owner left unannounced.”

Coffee Controversy Brewing in Hill East

By Prince Of Petworth


15th and A Street, NE (101 15th Street, NE)

Hill Rag reported on Saturday:

“Loaf Coffee Opens in Former Mia’s Coffeehouse Location”

Multiple readers write:

“Dear PoPville,

There is a coffee shop that just took over Mia’s space in Hill East. I wanted to learn more about the owners, and I was grossed out by their Twitter feed – it was mostly pictures of women in sexy Halloween costumes. After I wrote them a message (below), they took down their Twitter account, but they still have their podcast (Loaf Lounge) on their website. The podcast content is garbage. I’m not trying to be the mortality police, but they are hosting these images and a misogynist, immature podcast as part of their coffee brand.


screenshot sample of some podcast episodes via loafcompanies.com

There is a big population in Hill East who would love to have a coffee place, bar, or sandwich shop in their neighborhood, but I’m never stepping foot in this store.”


Photo via Loaf Companies Contact Page

The company’s reply to OP’s concerns:

“We sincerely apologize if our twitter feed had any offensive images. We haven’t used Twitter in a very long time and have now shut it down.

Loaf Companies wasn’t always just coffee. (more…)

“public community meeting to provide citywide residents with an update on the RFK Campus redevelopment project”

By Prince Of Petworth


Stitch Design Concept courtesy OMA

From Events DC:

“WHAT: Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, will host a public community meeting to provide citywide residents with an update on the RFK Campus redevelopment project – as well as any upcoming Campus event announcements. Updates will include timing on the short-term Campus program elements, the multi-purpose recreational fields and environmental study.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 24 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Luke Catholic Church
4925 E Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20019

**Food will be provided; this meeting is free & open to the public.

To RSVP here.

“Mayor Bowser Announces $4.7 Million Investment in Kingman and Heritage Islands; Southern Portion of Kingman Island to be Designated Critical Wildlife Area for Habitat Conservation”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, in honor of the Year of the Anacostia, Mayor Bowser announced significant conservation and investment commitments for Kingman and Heritage Islands. The Mayor directed the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to designate portions of both islands as a State Conservation Area and the southern area of Kingman Island as a Critical Wildlife Area. The State Conservation Area designation mimics the federal covenant for the islands, restricting their use to environmental, educational, and recreational purposes. In addition, the Mayor also announced a new $4.7 million investment for educational and recreational improvements on the islands.

“Our goal is a fishable, swimmable Anacostia River, and over the past few years, we have made tremendous progress toward that goal. However, there is more to do, and these conservation designations and this new funding will help us get that work done,” said Mayor Bowser. “Efforts and investments like these are how we will become the healthiest, greenest, and most sustainable city in the world.”

Consistent with the Kingman Island & Heritage Island Planning and Feasibility Study, the new investment will support outdoor classrooms, bathrooms, and accessible routes and pathways for visitors to the islands. (more…)

Today’s Rental has “17 Windows! on 2nd Fl. of Converted Storefront”

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 14th and A Street, SE. The Craigslist ad says:

“$2495 / 2br – 1000ft2 – Really Nice 2BR With 17 Windows! on 2nd Fl. of Converted Storefront

Truly beautiful and spacious 2BR (or huge 1BR for a couple) on 2nd Floor of Converted Storefront on Capitol Hill. All amenities, including W/D in the unit. High Ceilings. Hardwood Floors. Designer Kitchen and Bathroom. Ceiling Fans. (more…)

“Make Kingman Island a place for DC kids to learn about the environment!”

By Prince Of Petworth


“A floating environmental laboratory is part of the DOEE master plan for the island. Image: DOEE”

From the Anacostia Waterfront Trust:

“Tell Mayor Bowser: Make Kingman Island a place for DC kids to learn about the environment!

Kingman and Heritage Islands, also known as National Children’s Island, are natural areas in the middle of the Anacostia River. For more than 50 years, plans have existed to make the islands educational and cultural spaces for District children and families.

In 2016, the D.C. Council asked the Department of Energy and Environment to produce a new planning study for infrastructure to provide environmental education for DC students on the island. A multi-sector team led by the prominent architectural firm Hickok Cole developed a phased plan, beginning with some basic amenities and leading up to the long-envisioned state-of-the-art nature center. (more…)

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