The Vitamin Shoppe opened last week, full of powders and pills to make your hair grow and your muscles bulge.
So today, The Heights Life went to see what pills we could pop for some self-improvement. The grand opening means everything is also on sale! How could I resist discounted fish oil?
Around and around I went, protein powder here, fasting tea there, raspberry pills all over. Wait... raspberry pills? Why not just eat some raspberries? I think maybe I don't understand the Vitamin Shoppe.
Regardless, here is a little video. Note: Despite our weeks of anticipation, you actually can't find Metabolife on the Shoppe's shelves. Oh well, that stuff is probably really bad for you.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Pump it Up
should there be any need for free air it's good to know there is some
right in the neighborhood.
Men in Dresses: The Wonderland Annual Sun Dress Party
The Wonderland Ballroom held its annual sun dress party (still going on as I write this) today, providing the neighborhood with a true feast.There was delicious roast pig, slaw and beans to eat. And for eating with the eyes: girls and boys galore decked out in pretty summer sun dresses. They even had a rack available for those needing to buy a dress - $10 with the proceeds going to the Latin American Youth Center on Columbia Road.
We caught Matthew and Rose, the Wonderland and Looking Glass Lounge owners, out front. Matthew switched up his dress at least twice, and maybe more.
We also captured a little video in case you missed it:
And in case you haven't noticed, the Wonderland has an updated website, no longer exclusively on MySpace. Check it out here.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Listserv Post of the Day
Ah, the there-are-no-good-bagels-in-DC rant takes another form. From today's Columbia Heights Digest:
Speaking of Booeymonger, wouldn't it be great to have one in the neighborhood?
My Potbelly Review - Two thumbs Down
Posted by: aisha_mills
Fri May 2, 2008 9:01 am (PDT)
Anyone know where I can get a decent breakfast sandwich to-go in the Columbia Heights/U Street area? I just had an awful experience at Potbelly… Disclaimer: Sure, I admit it. I’m biased. I’ve never liked Potbelly anyway—I’ve found their sandwiches to be small, sub-par, and expensive... Yep, you guessed it, I’m a Booeymonger snob…
Nonetheless, I just stopped in to the new Columbia Heights Potbelly today for the first time to get a breakfast bagel. The service was extremely slow—although there was only one couple in line in front of us, my girlfriend and I waited 15 minutes for 2 skinny bagel sandwiches with egg and cheese. I should have known I’d be disappointed when I had to instruct the employee on how to actually “skinny” my bagel sandwich, despite the big fat sign on the wall advertising—go figure—“skinny sandwiches”.
I ended up with a burnt bagel chip “sandwich” that had two sad tablespoon size egg beaters in the middle. The staff at the register was so embarrassed that they had another one made for me which ended up being a bit better, but still unappetizing. Come to find out, they don’t even use real bagels, but some spongy “skinny” wheat product with a whole in the middle. Yuck (I’m also an adopted New Yorker, so I want REAL bagels damn it!). So much for having real food for breakfast. BTW, this took another 10 minutes even though I was now the only person in the place.
My review of Potbelly’s offerings for what its worth: If you’re into gourmet fast food, stick with Chipotle, and if you want a good deli sandwich, walk up to Subway or treat yourself and go across town to Booeymongers. If your thing is yuppy ambiance, just go to Busboys… If you want to sit and have a cup of “Starbucks coffee”, a cookie, and read the paper, then just go across the street to Starbucks—or avoid the corporate-cash-cow-scene all together and have your latté and sweets at Mayorga or Sticky Fingers… And if you want a decent breakfast sandwich, you’re better off making one at home.
Speaking of Booeymonger, wouldn't it be great to have one in the neighborhood?
From Other Blogs: A Tour of Highland Park
As someone who remembers when most of the new developments in Columbia Heights were just giant holes in the ground, it is pretty cool when a building finally opens. The Prince of Petworth has a preview of the Highland Park apartments, and his photo from the roof looking down Columbia Road is too sweet not to post.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Calendar: Local Farmers Markets Open this Weekend
Taking a break from CH listserv absurdity and retail openings, to note that the Mt. Pleasant and 14th and U Streets farmers markets will be up and running this Saturday. I am a fan of both and plan on a bike tour Saturday morning with perhaps a pit stop in Adams Morgan at So's Your Mom for a pumpernickel bagel. Details are below and check out other farmers markers using the WaPo's interactive map.
14th and U Street Farmers Market
14th and U streets NW
http://www.marketsandmore.net
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 3-Nov. 22
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
3200 Mount Pleasant St. NW (Lamont Park)
http://www.localfood.info/index.php
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 3-Nov. 22
14th and U Street Farmers Market
14th and U streets NW
http:/
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 3-Nov. 22
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
3200 Mount Pleasant St. NW (Lamont Park)
http://www.localfood.info/index.php
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 3-Nov. 22
CH Listserv Post of the Day: On Target Muggings
Sent to the Columbia Heights listserv from "Janet" on Wednesday, April 30:
Your suggestion that an earlier post concerning a mugging at the CH mall parking lot was an "urban myth" is remarkable and offensive. I think if you were the victim of this type of physical violence, you wouldn't take such a smug attitude. Anyone paying attention KNOWS that this type of incident is an every day occurence inColumbia Heights
And to the DC police and CM's office that might happen to read this post, ANSWER the god damn question about this mugging!
This post was responded to on the listserv, though Janet's question wasn't answered (yet). This blog, however, hears from our own tipsters that the Target parking garage mugging was, in fact, a myth.
Your suggestion that an earlier post concerning a mugging at the CH mall parking lot was an "urban myth" is remarkable and offensive. I think if you were the victim of this type of physical violence, you wouldn't take such a smug attitude. Anyone paying attention KNOWS that this type of incident is an every day occurence in
And to the DC police and CM's office that might happen to read this post, ANSWER the god damn question about this mugging!
This post was responded to on the listserv, though Janet's question wasn't answered (yet). This blog, however, hears from our own tipsters that the Target parking garage mugging was, in fact, a myth.
D'Vines Grand Opening Tomorrow
Though d'vines has been selling me pinot and malbec for a week, almost two, the official grand opening will be held tomorrow afternoon.
Sadly, this blog will be out of the area and forced to miss it, but we promise to stop by after the affair to grab a bottle our two and celebrate the store whilst watching Lost.
Good luck d'vines and welcome to The Heights Life!
Sadly, this blog will be out of the area and forced to miss it, but we promise to stop by after the affair to grab a bottle our two and celebrate the store whilst watching Lost.
Good luck d'vines and welcome to The Heights Life!
Combo Blog? No Thanks.
Over on the Columbia Heights News Forums, New2CH proposed that all the new and old local blogs combine forces for one new UBERblog.
Though we appreciate New2CH's enthusiasm, we don't think we want to join up with any of our blogosphere colleagues. This blog, right here, it's special. We have something the others don't have: a strict anti-NoVa stance that we embrace with borderline absurdity. Would others tolerate that stance? Well, we can't take the risk that they won't! It's what we do here at the Heights-loving Heights Life.
However, New2CH is on to something, which is that these blogs do spread neighborhood news. Perhaps an alternate proposal is afoot... maybe a place like Columbia Heights News should have a page that aggregates the local blogs? Pull from all of us for the UBERblog, while still allowing each site to maintain its own voice?
Anyhow, thanks to New2CH for noticing us in the first place. We're just happy to be here (and not in NoVa!).
Though we appreciate New2CH's enthusiasm, we don't think we want to join up with any of our blogosphere colleagues. This blog, right here, it's special. We have something the others don't have: a strict anti-NoVa stance that we embrace with borderline absurdity. Would others tolerate that stance? Well, we can't take the risk that they won't! It's what we do here at the Heights-loving Heights Life.
However, New2CH is on to something, which is that these blogs do spread neighborhood news. Perhaps an alternate proposal is afoot... maybe a place like Columbia Heights News should have a page that aggregates the local blogs? Pull from all of us for the UBERblog, while still allowing each site to maintain its own voice?
Anyhow, thanks to New2CH for noticing us in the first place. We're just happy to be here (and not in NoVa!).
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
We Have Pizza! But Metabolife? Not so much.
As first reported by ArtBart a few days ago, Pete's Apizza opened today in Columbia Heights.
I have not yet consumed the pizza, but I promise ArtBart and I will head over to capture some local video ASAP.
The openings have been coming more rapidly these days, WSC, Payless, Pete's. What's next? My best guess - the Vitamin Shoppe. Or maybe that's just because I need my Metabolife and won't take "closed" for an answer! Where are you Vitamin Shoppe?
UPDATE: Mattress Discounters on the Park Road side of DC USA is open. Anyone want to go and jump on beds?
I have not yet consumed the pizza, but I promise ArtBart and I will head over to capture some local video ASAP.
The openings have been coming more rapidly these days, WSC, Payless, Pete's. What's next? My best guess - the Vitamin Shoppe. Or maybe that's just because I need my Metabolife and won't take "closed" for an answer! Where are you Vitamin Shoppe?
UPDATE: Mattress Discounters on the Park Road side of DC USA is open. Anyone want to go and jump on beds?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
I See Cheap Shoes! Run!
ArtBart reports on the opening of Payless in Columbia Heights.
The sign barely went up, and already our discount shoe bastion is open and operating.
Apparently the women of Columbia Heights took quick notice, because ArtBart says it was jam-packed earlier. The good news: lots of shoes, cute ones, for about $10-$20 a pop.
The sign barely went up, and already our discount shoe bastion is open and operating.
Apparently the women of Columbia Heights took quick notice, because ArtBart says it was jam-packed earlier. The good news: lots of shoes, cute ones, for about $10-$20 a pop.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Listserv Post of the Day
In addition to this blog, the various Columbia Heights listservs are a must read in knowing what is going on in the community on all fronts. This new feature highlights a listserv message of the day, even though we might not post one every day. Today's comes from Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham on the Columbia Heights Yahoo Group:
CORRECTION: shooting, 700 NOT 1200 block of Irving
Posted by: "Jim Graham" grahamwone@gmail.com grahamwone2000
Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:32 am (PDT)
Sorry about that, I was providing information given to me by MPD. The shooting in fact occurred on the 700 block of Irving.
Beyond The Heights: DCist's Unbuckled
DCist hosted "Unbuckled" tonight at DC9. We caught the opening act, Motel, and captured a bit of the guys freestyling.
Just a few years ago I knew of DC9 (9th just south of U St. NW) for certain dance nights, but rarely thought of it as decent venue for shows. Either I've changed, or they've changed, because now I pay attention to their schedule - and they regularly pull in solid local and regional groups and charge a reasonable $8-$12 a show.
You can visit Motel online here, and check them out below (though, the sound is pretty garbled):
Just a few years ago I knew of DC9 (9th just south of U St. NW) for certain dance nights, but rarely thought of it as decent venue for shows. Either I've changed, or they've changed, because now I pay attention to their schedule - and they regularly pull in solid local and regional groups and charge a reasonable $8-$12 a show.
You can visit Motel online here, and check them out below (though, the sound is pretty garbled):
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