More Violence, Again, 1300 Block of Columbia

Councilmember Jim Graham reports the sad news of yet another fatal shooting on what's become the most dangerous block in Columbia Heights - 1300 Columbia. Clearly police are not a deterrent to the violence that's plagued this street. Light towers, foot patrols, and a mounting death toll haven't stopped it. The question now is what else can they do? And why can't you put up a light tower in the rain?

Dear Friends,

Sadly I must inform you that an adult male (not yet identified) was shot five times in about the same location that Paul Jones was killed on January 9. He was pronounced at the hospital a short time later. This all occurred just after 10 PM.

This is the same block that has had a police post and a light tower every day for months.

The light tower was not up due to the rain. But Cmdr Kucik informs me that the police officer was at the post in the middle of the block at the very time this person was shot. Other officers were nearby and responded immediately.

This means that the shooting occurred just a stone's throw from a police officer. He heard the shots and went to the body.

We are awaiting more information.

Councilmember Jim Graham

DC House Voting Rights Act Killed

Say it ain't so, EHoNo! The Washington City Paper (and other outlets) reported this afternoon that Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton has killed the DC House Voting Rights Act. The legislation is not a complete goner, though: "Please understand that we are holding the bill for now, not giving up on voting rights," Holmes said in a statement.

Said Mayor Fenty on the news: "On behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, I applaud the leadership and great effort put forth by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, District Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton and other Congressional leaders for their work to secure full voting representation for District residents. Going forward, I remain committed to working with our Congressional leaders, as well as members of the Council of the District of Columbia, to secure full voting representation as fast as humanly possible."

Ward 1 DC Marriage Equality Vote Tonight

From Council Member Jim Graham:

Dear Friends,

Please come to the Ward One Democrats on Tuesday, June 9, to vote on straw
poll on marriage equality in the District. Your vote will count!

There will be a panel discussion on the various sides of this issue. But you
may come and vote and leave if you would like.

Your input is vital to how the District proceeds on marriage equality in the
future. We want as many residents as possible to voice their opinions.

The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Reeves Center at 14th and U
Street NW in the Second Floor Conference Room.

As you may know, the D.C. Council last month voted to recognize same-sex
marriages from other states. I voted in support of that measure. The second
reading on the bill was on June 2.

Bests,
Councilmember Jim Graham

LAYC Art+Media House looking for mural project space

Do you know of an open wall in the neighborhood that would be the perfect spot for a mural? If so, The Art + Media House wants to hear from you. From the listserv:

The Art+Media House seeks a nice open wall in the Columbia Heights neighborhood for a mixed media mural with a graffiti flair. Continuing with our everyday people theme for the 2008-2009 school year, twelve young artists and two adults will design and create a mural depicting and highlighting everyday people from the Columbia Heights Neighborhood.

Stop and check out our other murals:

• "Columbia Heights is..." on Kenyon St. between 11th and 13th St. NW;
• "Evolution" on U Street alley between 13th and 14th St,;
• "Unity" outside the Hubbard Place Apartments (next to the Exxon) at 3500 14th St. NW; and
• "Hubbard Pride" inside the lobby of the Hubbard Place Apartments.
  

AMH pays for all materials, supplies, and instruction. We will also seal the mural as best we can to make it resistant to tagging, and will do any touch ups during the first year. Length of time the mural is to be up is negotiable.

Contact: Ronald Chacon at 202-319-7312 or ronald@layc-dc.org.

Local Non-Profit Grill-Off This Week

Brainfood, a non-profit with a location in Columbia Heights (1525 Newtown) is holding it's third annual Grill-Off event this Thursday.

Tickets are $75 and the event features some of DC's best chefs. You can find more details here. DC foodie blogger Metrocurean is a big fan.

More about Brainfood:

Brainfood is a non-profit youth development organization based in Washington, DC. Brainfood has been a community presence in the Columbia Heights neighborhood for several years, and in the fall of 2006, a second Brainfood site was established in Chinatown. The Brainfood kitchen is a place where young people come to have creative, constructive fun. We believe that supervised, fun activities are a young person's right, not a privilege, and we have found that most of our students do not have access to such opportunities.

Pick of the week: late night at Commonwealth

A few weeks ago, we heard that Commonwealth extended its hours until 2 am on weekends. So when a capacity crowd at the Wonderland on Saturday night--whose choice words included "This reminds me of the Hamptons." and "Oh this place looks interesting, let's go in."--forced us elsewhere, Commonwealth was the place to go.

It was an oasis of calm in the early hours of June 7, 2009. With happy hour beginning at 12:30 am, food service in the pub until 1 am, and no curfew for the outdoor seating, it's fast on the way to be my new late-night spot.

Real World DC: The House and the Haters

I'm sorry, but yes - it's another blog post about the Real World DC.

DCist won't say it's totally true yet, but everyone in Washington is calling this place in Dupont the new Real World DC house. The Heights Life had to park near there Sunday and judging by the construction and the satellite equipment on the roof - this place is indeed going to be home to seven strangers picked to be obnoxious as fuck all around our otherwise just dull enough town.

Our new favorite Real World DC related project is this blog: The Anti-Real World DC. The blogger is apparently a neighbor who intends to heckle. Hey - Anti-Real World DC, if you invite us over for a heckling party, we'll totally bring beer and our own chairs.

Also, randomly outside the house - 2000 S Street NW - there was a freshly planted herb garden. Will DC's seven strangers be growing their own basil or something?

Chipotle Goes Public

3D Police Substation Shuffle

This story has been out there for a few days, but we didn't want it to go unmentioned on this blog.

Inspector Delgado, a familiar feature in my inbox as he responded to pretty much everyone all the time about everything on the 3D substation listserv, was ousted in a controversial staff shuffling.

Read more about it here, and some more over here, and get some reaction from the community here.

A meta take on the It's-Happening-Right? Real World: DC

I have to give why.i.hate.dc props for the Matchbox 20 reference, but is this a dig at us?

First "DC resident" activity they'll partake in: Start a blog with photos of neighborhood row houses as a backdrop.

You can admit, we can take it. Should the Real World: DC speculation turn out to be true and filming indeed starts later this month, is anyone else worried about the cataclysmic event of drunk reality show wannabes and incompetent wannabe politicos in the city at the same time? The world might implode. Or DC might sink back into the swamp.

The Countdown to Chipotle Begins

Less than 120 days until you can get your burrito and burrito bowl fix in Columbia Heights! The Prince of Petworth is reporting that Chipotle officially signed its lease with Donatelli Development to open in Kenyon Square. Build out should take about three to four months before we receive some sweet, sweet burrito-y goodness.

Mark Your Calendars

It’s June 1. Here’s a look at some events happening this month.

Saturday, June 6
Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure
National Mall
Run or walk in support of women’s breast health. For more information on the Komen Global Race for the Cure, including how to register, visit www.globalraceforthecure.org or call 703-416-RACE (7223).

Sunday, June 7 – 2 to 7 am
Sunrise Cinema at BloomBars
3222 11th Street NW
From NoVa and got too drunk at the Wonderland? Soused at house party? Want first dibs on Target sales? BloomBars doesn’t want you to drink under the influence, so watch movies until 7 am when the Metro opens. Comedian Elizabeth Croydon will also perform.

Wednesday, June 10 – 7 pm
ANC1A Monthly Meeting
Harriet Tubman Elementary School – 3101 13th Street NW
Catch up on community happenings and issues before the ANC breaks for the summer.

Tuesday, June 16 – 5:30 to 8:30 pm
“Stimulus” Opens at the Nevin Kelly Gallery
1400 Irving Street, NW, #132
The Nevin Kelly Gallery, located at Highland Park is hosting an opening reception for its latest show on June 16. “Stimulus” is a group exhibition of works by more than 20 local artists, selling at limited-opportunity prices of less than $500. Additionally, Commonwealth, Pete’s, and Rumberos will be offering dinner specials during the opening. The works will be shown through July 11.

Tuesday, June 23 – Community Social at Red Rocks
11th Street and Park Road NW
From the local listserv: Greater DC Cares is hosting a community meeting at Red Rock Pizzeria on Tuesday, June 23, and all are invited to come meet other residents in the neighborhood, discuss issues in the area, and learn about new opportunities to organize community events and projects in the area! We will brainstorm ideas for sustainable community activity, learn how to host independent projects, and work to increase the overall wellbeing of Petworth, Columbia Heights, and Mount Pleasant. RSVP to Meghan at mmcnamara@greaterdccares.org.

Meridian Pint Looking for $$$

Prince of Petworth has the scoop on Meridian Pint at 11th and Park.

The good news: construction is underway and the progress is visible.

The other news: the owner is looking for additional investors. I won't call this "bad" news, because hey - maybe if you're an investor, this is an awesome opportunity. But certainly cash flow issues could slow the development of this place.

The Heights Life thinks Room 11 and Meridian Pint should both just open up already. If I were a betting blogger, I might put my money on Social being first across the finish line.

Around the Neighborhood

Lots of work is being done at Park Triangle. We are well on our way to getting our fountain, which THL predicts will significantly up the public urination quotient in the area.


And check out the scene at Giant around 6PM on Saturday (courtesy of a tipster, thanks Dschro). Disaster.