Georgia Ave

Final Blue Banana Sports Bar Update: Opening Tuesday Night, Free Drinks to Celebrate!

By Prince Of Petworth

At long last (this is for you Matt G!) Blue Banana sports bar is opening up Tuesday night at 3632 Georgia Ave, NW next to Looking Glass Lounge. We had a brief update in Nov. but now it is official – doors open Tuesday, Dec. 21st at 6pm. And here’s even better news – Tues. and Wed. from 8-9pm there will be an open bar. Yes, an open bar! Select beers and rail drinks but still an open bar!

Their facebook page says:

The Blue Banana Sports & Rock Bar is opening this week! We have 10 Flat Screen TV’s, a Full Bar, 12 Microbrews on Tap plus plenty of Bottles of Beer in the coolers! Come enjoy all the Sports Games you can imagine (we are getting every package available and if we don’t have it ask!). At night come listen to Rock & Top 40 via our IPOD plus DJ’s & Bands coming soon!

Please join us for one of our special opening nights and check us out!

Tuesday Open Bar from 8pm – 9pm

Wednesday Open Bar from 8pm – 9pm

Thursday: 1/2 Price Beers all night!

Friday: Xmas Eve 1/2 Price Drinks 8pm – 10pm!

Saturday: Closed during the day but opening at 8pm. 1/2 Price Drinks 8pm – 10pm!

Sunday: Noon – Close

See many of you tomorrow night, yeah?

Provocative Protest Signs Plastered Up and Down Georgia Avenue

By Prince Of Petworth

Well, I really wasn’t going to post about this because I think they are an absolute fringe group and have little influence and are really not representative of the greater communities up and down Georgia Avenue. Having said that, I’ve gotten more emails about these posters than I’ve gotten about any other one item in a long time. It is not terribly surprising since the subject, “keep DC a chocolate city” is obviously provocative. And in yesterday’s post about a near laptop theft the issue was raised. So hear it is – and I’m not saying this sentiment isn’t shared by some, all I’m saying is that I don’t believe this group is representative of DC’s residents.

The sponsor is a group called Uhuru:

The Uhuru Movement recognizes that we are in a war of ideas. This is a war between the dying forces of white power imperialism and the emerging forces of African Socialism for the minds of the masses of poor and oppressed people. Today Imperialism has constructed a media cartel that serves the interest of the white ruling class. This international media apparatus serves to justify the brutal oppression carried out by imperialism every day. Moreover, its objective is to ideologically unite the European nation at the expense of the African nation.

This Imperialist media propaganda machine currently has a monopoly on the distribution of ideas. These ideas are intended to define our reality and shape our worldview. However, it is time for the African working class to speak for ourselves. It is time the world be seen from the perspective of the poor and oppressed masses.

UhuruNews.com is Black Power in the 21st Century. It is the vision and voice of the African working-class. Our interest is to tell the truth; showing the world as it is. Our mission is to bring voice to the most oppressed and exploited sectors of the African world.

I’m guessing they are about as representative of DC’s residents as is Lyndon LaRouche and his followers.

So yes, they’ve papered Georgia Ave with provocative posters and they are having a meeting on Dec. 18th at 12noon at Everlasting Life 2928 Georgia Avenue NW. But I think the original photo above explains it all – I think more people will inquire about selling their unwanted car than will attend this meeting.

Personally, I prefer the following sign that I also passed in my weekend walk:

“No One Should Bite Another, Outrage, or Provoke Another”

The Uhuru Movement would be wise to heed this advice.

Dear PoP – Coffee on Georgia Ave?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Is there a good coffee shop along georgia avenue north of columbia heights, say in the 3000s?”

What can I say? It’s Georgia Ave day today…

When I think of Georgia Ave and coffee two places immediately pop into my head – Sankofa Cafe located at 2714 Georgia Ave. and Qualia Coffee located at 3917 Georgia Ave. And of course there is a Starbucks at 2225 Georgia Ave NW. But for another good one near the 3000s you can go over a couple of blocks to 11th St, NW and hit Columbia Heights Coffee at 3416 11th St NW.

Am I leaving anyone out?

Georgia Ave News: Bilal Closes, Construction and Coffee at Fasika

By Prince Of Petworth

Sad to see Bilal Grocery papered over at 4328 Georgia Ave, NW, especially since it looked like it had just recently been renovated. In either happier news or worse news it looks like the decrepit buildings next to Fasika (4422 Georgia Ave, NW) are finally getting renovated. Or it’s gonna look like this for months. I’m cautiously optimistic because of some permits I spotted in the unit to the left of the photo.

And looks like Fasika is adding a serious coffee component to their restaurant:

Looks Like Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine Has Opened Up at 3118 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in early Oct. we learned that the space formerly home to Hadiyah Cafe would become Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine. When I walked by last weekend it was closed but a menu was in the window so I’m guessing it’s probably open now. Anyone check them out. From peeking in the window – the space looks good.

They even have a happy hour.

Shot of the menu after the jump. (more…)

Pleasant Plains Workshop (Art Studio) Opens Up at 2608 Georgia Avenue NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Sorry I didn’t get to post about the Grand Opening on Sunday but I found out about it a bit too late. But it looks like this is going to be a great addition to Pleasant Plains. (This is the former home of Showoff apparel that we checked out in ’08.) According to their Web site:

Pleasant Plains Workshop is a shared studio space with a storefront that features works by its resident artists along with a rotating lineup of works and projects by other DC-based artists and designers.

Kristina Bilonick is a native Washingtonian who uses screen printing, found objects and other media to create art installations that are often interactive. She has shown her work at at local art spaces such as Transformer, Honfleur Gallery, and Civilian Art Projects. Kristina also has an ever-changing line of clothing, accessories and housewares. Her most popular items are her long ‘all over print’ cotton scarves featuring repeated prints such as marching buffalo or overlapping prints of foliage. By day, she is program director at Washington Project for the Arts.

Anthony Dihle / Fire Studio
Anthony Dihle has screen printed concert posters for local and internationally known bands such as Greenland, Exit Clov, Elvis Costello and Jay-Z. In addition to making work, he has curated multiple gallery shows at local art spaces such as Civilian Art Projects and the Athaneum, featuring works of other masterful printer-designers. Dihle also creates hand printed greeting cards and t-shirts.

I chatted briefly with Anthony who said that the storefront part will be opening on Saturdays the week after Thanksgiving.

I’ll be sure to update when special events take place.


Grand opening was smashed crowded!

Couple more shots after the jump. (more…)

Bruce Monroe Bid Update: 175 apts, 52 rowhomes, Burgers, Folks from Churchkey?

By Prince Of Petworth

Well that was fast but we’ve already got an update on the development bid at the old Bruce Monroe School at 3000 Georgia Ave, NW. This just got very very serious. I’d be very curious to know exactly how serious Elevation Burger and/or the folks from Churchkey are in potentially coming to the space. If true this could be huge!

WBJ’s Michael Neibauer writes:

Option A — we assume it’s the firms’ preferred option — would feature an NDC-developed mixed-use building on the eastern third of the site, comprising 88-175 apartments up to 1,000 square feet, 17,000-26,000 square feet of retail space and a community learning center. Yes! Organic Market, Neighborhood Restaurant Group (Chuchkey, Birch and Barley, Rustico, Vermilion), Elevation Burger and a hardware store are listed as potential tenants.

The western two-thirds would comprise 52 EYA-developed townhomes ranging from 1,500-2,000 square feet, each with one or two garage parking spaces.

Now if you’ll forgive me, I’m going to lay down for a few minutes before I pass out with joy…

Bid Details on Old Bruce Monroe School Plot at 3000 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all who sent links. Washington Business Journal’s Michael Neibauer has the scoop:

…the bid features multi-family rental units atop street-level retail — a hardware store, perhaps, or a Yes! Organic Market — in addition to EYA-built townhouses on the western end of the 121,825-square-foot site.

Bruce Monroe was closed after the 2008 school year and subsequently razed. Graham secured $1.5 million in the fiscal 2011 budget to temporarily enhance the space with playgrounds, a tennis court, two basketball courts and parking.

…the city needs several weeks to vet the Neighborhood Development Company/EYA bid before deciding how to move ahead.

Sound like a good use of the space?

I gotta admit, every time I walk past the, now, park it makes me smile because people seem to be having such a good time. Though I haven’t forgotten that bad blood is still felt by many after the school was razed. Can YES! Organic Market save the day?

Maybe we should aim higher…?

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