Opening Day Set for Columbia Heights Marketplace

Mark your calendars for June 5, 2010, because that is opening day for the new Columbia Heights Community Marketplace. The news was first announced on DC Food for All. Since the opening of the civic plaza at 14th and Park last the fall, there has been talk of using the space for something more than just a farmers' market. So from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays, June through October, the community marketplace will feature produce and food stuffs from local farmers, and according to DCist:

 

[O]rganizers are looking to line up local chefs to perform cooking demonstrations. Live music and other forms of entertainment, including a youth dance troupe, will also be regular features of the weekly event.

 

The organizers are still seeking neighborhood input and will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, March 4 at 6:30 pm at the office of Change Inc. (1413 Park Road NW). You can also e-mail chcommunitymarketplace@gmail.com with your suggestions or to volunteer.

 

With addition of a Columbia Heights location, a nice little farmers' market triangle has been created between here, Mt. Pleasant, and U Street. So much so that is needs a funny name. How about the CHMPUS Triangle? The MUCH Triangle? Either way, I am happy that Mt. Pleasant and U Street markets open in early-May and that each year brings more options for city residents to buy fresh, locally-grown food.

Would you by a parking space for $25K?

Seeing parking spaces for sale is not a new thing, but I was very surprised by the cost of this 96 sq. ft. spot at 11th and Columbia? So, would you purchase this parking spot for $25,000?

Upcoming art and community events

Because you have to take a break from watching the Olympics for at least a little bit, there are two interesting happenings coming up.

After some weather-related days, ACTIVATION 2719 is finally opening on Saturday, February 20. Presented by ReadysetDC and the No Kings Collective, this row house pop-up gallery at 2719 13th Street will feature 11 artists and a number of musical performances. The free opening event starts at 6 pm. RSVP by visiting http://readysetdc.com/2719 before 3 pm on Saturday.

On Tuesday, WAMU 88.5 and The Kojo Nnamdi Show brings its "Kojo in Your Community" tour to Columbia Heights' All Souls Unitarian Church (1500 Harvard St., NW) at 6:30 pm Topics to be covered at the radio taping include an hour-long discussion on education reform and an hour-long discussion on commercial development in Columbia Heights/Mount Pleasant. Residents are encouraged to attend and be part of the show by asking questions, making comments, and sharing the view from their neighborhood with the wider WAMU audience. The show will tape that evening and air in two parts on February 25 and March 3.

Columbia Heights Community Marketplace meeting this Thursday

Planning in underway for the new Columbia Heights Community Marketplace and the organizers are holding a public meeting this Thursday. From the invite:

Interested community members are invited to attend the latest planning meeting for the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace,
which will include a farmers market, this Thursday, February 18th at 6:30pm at the offices of Change Inc. at 1413 Park Road NW.

The meeting will cover the latest developments in planning the market, including the results of a survey about the ideal days and times
for the market and a report on feedback from potential farmers, bakers and other food producers interested in selling at the market.

Sincerely,

Robert Schubert

Market Manager

There is still time to take brief survey about what you would like to see at the marketplace. The survey is online here - www.surveymonkey.com/s/MJ7PSTP

Columbia Heights Day Logo Contest

The Columbia Heights Day Initiative is looking for a new logo for use at this year's festival (8/28/10). Check out this very large poster for details...

Reader Question: Do you smell like a pool?

A reader writes us with the following question:

What's been up with the water lately?  I live at 14th and Newton, and our water has recently taken on a terribly strong bleach/chlorine smell... I heard that DC Public Works was switching from using disinfecting chlorine gas to liquid for safety reasons, but I thought that wasn't supposed to change the taste or smell of our water.  However, it's gotten to the point where I smell like public pool when I get out of the shower.  Is it just CoHi North, or has anyone else had this problem too?

Come to think of it - I DO kind of smell like a pool. We've asked DCWASA what's up... does anyone else smell like a pool? Don't be shy.

UPDATE: Yes - you DO smell like a pool! Reader Emily points us to this release: http://www.dcwasa.com/news/listings/press_release427.cfm. You know, it also tastes kinda like a pool.  And it's going to last until about the time when the pool opens.

Let's talk about the Olympics

Olympic-viewing hours clocked so far: approximately five. And the games aren't even 24-hours old yet.

Over the next two weeks, The Heights Life will be posting occasional musings about the Winter Games. It won't be all about figure skating, despite the video below.

So feel free to share your Olympic predictions, thoughts, and such in the comments.

Local meet-up set to shovel bus stops Sunday

Just received word from the bloggers at Greater Greater Washington that they are organizing a meet-up on Sunday to shovel snow from DC bus stops.

Give a hand. Save a hip. Bus stops all over the region are not safely accessible because of snow mountains, slush and ice. Taxpayer-funded Metro can't shovel out 12,000 bus stops. Let's make George Washington proud and go shovel.

There is a group meeting at the Columbia Heights metro (by Five Guys) at 3 p.m., as well as one at the Dupont metro (Q Street).

For more information http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=4902

NBC News Segment about Park Road

Here is a NBC News clip about coping with the snow on Park Road in Columbia Heights.

Metro Snow Woes Continue

You'd think maybe today would be the day and Metro would be functioning like a mostly functional transit system. Don't get your hopes up. The AM commute on the Green line is slow and crowded, but doable. Transferring at Metro Center or L'Enfant though? Don't bother. Just walk. Single tracking, dangerously crowded platforms, screaming police officers, overcrowded trains and waits that will surely overrun your delayed start time at the office.

In good news land: OLYMPICS TIME! Seriously, the Olympics are the only thing right now that will actually make snow look awesome. Don't forget - Social has an Olympic special (so long as America WINS!).

Blizzard Survivors: What's Open Today?

So far the following restaurants have announced that they plan to be open for blizzard business:

RedRocks
Commonwealth
Pete's Apizza
Social

Twitter friends tell us WSC is closing at noon.

Any other openings/closings to share?

Thumbs Up for Mario Landscaping!

Our building in Columbia Heights uses Mario's Landscaping. I assume we use them for landscaping... but I noticed them because of their crazy good snow removal skills!

Every few hours a truck pulls up, a handful of guys jump out, and they shovel down to the brick and sidewalk. No packed snow or ice patches. Thanks Mario & crew!

Get your official Snowmageddon t-shirts

The Internet entrepreneurs are hawking a variety of t-shirt designs to commemorate this historic snowpocalypse. And after visiting Giant today, I am adding #SnovietUnion to the mix, given the state of our grocery shelves. Here is a list of what's available. Am I missing something, leave in the comments below.

Snomageddon by One vs Many - $24

A portion of every sale will be donated to SOME (So Others Might Eat), a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing, and health-care services to the poor and homeless.

Update: The City Paper reports that 15% of the proceeds will go to SOME.

Snowcamp DC 2010 by Tastytronic

Industries - $16.90 to $69.90

I Survived Snowmageddon (via Cafe Press) - starts at $12.99

I Survived Snowpocalpyse (via Cafe Press) - starts at $12.99

Snowpocalypse Now (via Zazzle) - $23.80

Dupont Circle Snowball Fight (via Zazzle) - $22.95

Got Power?

Lots of power outages reported by Pepco. Our area is in the 1000-5000 customers out. You can check out the map here: http://www.pepco.com/home/emergency/maps/stormcenter/.

Free parking at DCUSA for residents Friday - Monday

The DC Department of Transportation announced on its Twitter feed that DC residents will be able to park for free at DCUSA after 10 pm Friday to noon Monday.

The District has also declared a Snow Emergency as of 9:30 am this morning. Parked cars must be moved from all snow emergency routes. The list is here - http://ddot.dc.gov/ddot/frames.asp?group=1586&doc=/ddot/lib/ddot/services/snow/ser-list-rev.pdf

Snow emergency route streets in and around Columbia Heights:

• Florida Avenue – H Street, N.E. to 9th Street, N.W.
• Florida Avenue, N.W. – U Street to 22nd Street
• Georgia Avenue, N.W. – Florida Avenue to Eastern Avenue
• Harvard Street, N.W. / Hobart Place, N.W. – 5th Street to 16th Street (south side only)
• Irving Street - Michigan Avenue, N.E. to 16th Street, N.W. (south side only)
• Kenyon Street, N.W. / Kenyon Place, N.W. – Irving Street to 14th St. (north side only)
• Park Road, N.W. - 14th Street to 16th Street (north side only)
• U Street, N.W. – 9th Street to Florida Avenue
• 16th Street, N.W. – H Street to Eastern Avenue

Super Bowl Specials this Sunday at CommonWealth

From the latest Tasting Table DC (a great new foodie e-mail pub): Opportunity for free beer at CommonWealth during the Super Bowl.

Sunday, 2/7
5 p.m. to midnight
Bowl for Beer
CommonWealth Gastropub hosts a beer-fueled Super Bowl party. And it'll get competitive: Buy a beer or food item (such as pork pies or jacket potatoes) before the game starts and tell your server which team you're rooting for. Then get a free house ale each time your team scores a touchdown. 1400 Irving St. NW (between 14th St. and Hiatt Pl.); 202-265-1400 or commonwealthgastropub.com

Snowlumbia Heights is Coming!

No, today didn't count. This was not a #snowpocalypse or a #snomg. But this weekend could be! I love a good Snowlumbia Heights Day!

The storm that's brewing: http://www.accuweather.com/regional-news-story.asp?region=eastusnews

Monthly Parking Now Available at DCUSA

Update: The Washington Business Journal has details on the $6 commuter parking deal.

The parking netherland that is the DCUSA garage now offers monthly parking. The cost is $145 a month, and you can come and go as you please -- no matter what the hour. Live in a condo building? Gather your tenants together to get special rates for groups of 10 or more.

Call Central Parking at DCUSA at 202-253-4938, or visit its offices on the P1 Level to get your spot.

See the flyer for more information.

Presumptive #snomg from Past Tense yoga

I think Past Tense yoga in Mt. Pleasant does a great job of marketing the studio, but their most recent e-mail is a little ridiculous. Especially since I have only counted about 10 snow flakes outside my office window. But SHOULD we get another snowpocalypse tomorrow, you can enjoy $10 yoga classes and hot chocolate.

BTW, the forecast is 3 to 6 inches.