Don't Miss the Bus! New Northbound Stop

See that sign in the middle of this blurry picture? That's the bus stop on 14th and Irving going North. Because of upcoming 14th Street construction, it lives in front of CVS now instead of in front of the Metro.

Venture Down 14th Street for Sales this Weekend

Yes, this is all happening about 15 blocks south of Columbia Heights but it feels like home since 14th street is part of my daily commute ...

We already know it's going to be hazy, hot, and humid this weekend, so it's perfect weather for the annual Dog Days sidewalk sale along the 14th Street corridor, August 1-2. For 10 years, the MidCity Business Association has organized this sidewalk super sale, but it's more than just finding great deals, there are some pretty cool cultural and community events, too.

The Studio Theatre is holding its Annual Garage Sale on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Hundreds of items from this past season are for sale, including clothing, furniture, and home accessories. Also on Saturday, Washington Improv Theatre is holding its IMPROV-A-PALOOZA 2009. It begins at 2 pm and features 10 straight hours of improvisational comedy presented as individual 10 minute acts. And on Sunday don't miss Words Beats & Life Inc: DJ Workshop at Source Theatre's open house.

Here's a sampling of Dog Days deals from some of my favorite places:

• Cakelove (1506 U Street)- Buy 3 cupcakes get 1 free
• Nana (1528 U Street)- all clearance items are 50-80% off the original price
• Ruff and Ready Furnishings (1908 14th Street)- 25% off EVERYTHING, 50% off all items priced $127 or under. 75% off all basement items.
• Cork (1720 14th Street) and Cork Market (1805 14th Street) - A lemonade stand in front of the new space for Cork Market and Cork restaurant will open early
• Miss Pixies (1626 14th Street) - 20% off all items throughout the store plus free cookies!
• Redeem (1734 14th Street)- Take 25% off all summer merchandise, including an additional 25% off already marked down items.

More information is available here. And be sure you download your "Dog Days Bingo" card to win free gifts.

Social Opens August 17

No time to write up my own take on this, but here's the latest on Social from their own press release. Opening on August 17. I also saw that Thaitanic II has a real sign up.

SOCIAL OPENING IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN AUGUST.  Columbia Heights, the hottest residential neighborhood in the District, will welcome the anticipated restaurant Social on August 17th. Situated on the southwest corner of 14th Street and Meridian Place NW, Social is just four blocks north of the Columbia Heights Metro making it an easily accessible dining and drink locale.

The partners behind Social are eager to unveil their gem, which is reminiscent of a comfortable District residence with dark-espresso leather couches and high-back dining room chairs. The main dining room, familiarly called the Family Room, is accented with textured plaster walls, rich wood floors and wine inspired carpet. Photography from Jonathan Zuck, a family photo wall, and classic artwork ornament the venue. After dinner, guests can enjoy a cocktail seated at the bar or lounging on an ottoman in the Cellar. The furnishings, from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, create a relaxed and open space in the two combined former row-homes, while vast windows overlook the bustling 14th Street Corridor.
 
Complimenting the innovative design concept, Social will provide a fresh dining experience. The plates are as interesting and diverse as the beverage selection. The Shareable menu items such as the Poke Stack, an Ahi tuna sashimi dish, or the Baby Lamb Lollipops topped with cilantro pecan pesto are available in Intimate, Social, or Gala micro-dining sizes, allowing any size party to mix and match menu items to their taste. If sharing is not your forte, European-style Pan Roasted Crispy Chicken and other items on the Self Indulgence menu provide a tasty individual experience. To create an unrushed and comfortable environment, Social does not take reservations and does not require you commit to your whole meal in one order. 

"We take the beverage approach to dining," according to owner AJ Guy, "When you go out for drinks you never order them all at once. In the same way, our menu is designed to be leisurely perused by our guests."

Partners AJ Guy, Scott Hammons and Tim Korzep have a history with headline hospitality projects.  Their combined experience in operations and development includes Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Houston's Restaurants, and the Ian Schrager Company, providing the team with a wealth of hospitality knowledge. Urban hikes, exploring unsung neighborhoods of the District, inspired the owners and in the end Columbia Heights proved the perfect canvas for a neighborhood destination. Unique dining and entertainment should not be exclusive to Georgetown or Downtown.  Social will create an unrivaled experience that is a most welcome addition to the burgeoning foodie scene in Washington, D.C.

Social will be open seven nights a week and soon on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch.

Pete's: It's the little things

I am blogging about a brown bag. Yeah, I know - that's weird. But I went to get some food to go at Pete's Apizza tonight and felt inspired to write about how they get the little things right.

They have new to go bags - thin paper with a handle. Easy to carry, probably eco-friendly.

The lovely young woman behind the counter also offered me some water while I waited, noticing that I hadn't ordered a drink.

And the non-pizza food, the food that probably matters less like the soup and antipasta, it's delicious. I had the antipasta and soup tonight. If you haven't tried the soup there, it's almost always excellent. And they have new bread to go with it, also excellent.

I almost wish Pete's got more wrong so I would spend less money and eat at home more often.

Nice Forecast DC...

You have to love a week's worth of lighting bolts. Oh DC, oh summer.

Mayor Fenty CH Small Business Pow Wow

Mayor Fenty is coming to La Cabana Restaurant tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3614 14th Street to talk about small business concerns along with a herd of DC city department reps.

According to the media advisory, the agenda includes "intoxicated vagrants, prostitution, illegal gambling, violent assaults and loitering. Small business assistance will also be a topic of discussion focusing on permitting issues, street parking and beautification such as façade improvements."

It starts at 6PM. The Heights Life can't make it, but if you do - let us know what the Mayor says: theheightslife@gmail.com.

And the building goes on

Just because it was the weekend, that doesn't mean construction stopped in the neighborhood. At 11th Street and Park Road, 3DG's office complex / future home of Meridian Pint is no longer a hole in the ground. It is amazing to see finally something occupy the old Bi-Rite supermarket space and the new building looks great. And it looks like the 14th Street civic plaza is getting come nifty stonework.

Report from Neighborhood Watch Training

As you may have read here previously, CH is getting a neighborhood watch program. Here's a firsthand account from our friend Fieldsy who attended block captain training:

Monday night, I attended the Columbia Heights Bock Captain precinct captain training at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church with about 30 other CH residents. Organized by NW Columbia Heights Community Association President, Cecilia Jones, the aim of the program is to establish a block by block neighborhood watch program implemented and managed by the block captain (or co-captains, which I would recommend since the program requires a lot of organizing and responsibility). Cecilia stated that "Today, marks the end of street violence in Columbia Heights." With the shootings and stabbings over the past several months as well as auto and property related crimes--it is certainly an ambitious and much needed effort to bring the community together in order to reduce crime. Inspector Jacob Kishter as well as two DCPD officers who patrol the neighborhood and Tivoli North Business Association President Hector Gomez and 2 ANC commissioners were in attendance. While it was great to see community leaders in attendance, I was disappointed in the small turn out from residents.

The training was conducted by a woman who has implemented the program in her Chevy Chase neighborhood. That fact drew a comment by a fellow participant of whether she could understand the major obstacles we face in Columbia Heights to apply this program because of the different demographics and types of crime we face here. I, too, will admit that I have my reservations of whether this program can work. First, the block captain is responsible for gathering information about all their neighbors - like phone numbers, number of inhabitants, if anyone in the house has disabilities - and after compiling contact information about residents, organize a block meeting to discuss concerns about the block. Once the meeting is held the block captain leads the charge to forward crime alerts and crime reduction techniques. Basically, it's connecting an information network in the neighborhood so that neighbors are aware of what is going on and what steps to take to reduce crime.

Sounds easy enough, but with DC being such a transient and career driven city, it seems it will take some time to not only organize your block but also get buy-in from neighbors. With that said -I do think it has great potential to bring the neighborhood residents closer together and increase personal investment in our community since it is the model is very community organizing driven. We cannot only depend on our community leaders or elected officials to curb the problems facing our neighborhood, each of us must be actively involved to solve the problems. I have lived in and out Columbia Heights for the last 6 years (leaving only to work on political campaigns) and have only recently taken the time to get to really know my ANC commissioner, introduce myself to the majority of neighbors and get involved in neighborhood issues despite my love for The Heights.

The training itself was very weak, but the more I have though about it, the more I am warming up to the idea. It is going to take massive outreach to get captains on each block, but if we all come together this program could take off. I certainly plan to try to use this opportunity to get to know my neighbors better, hopefully implement a yearly block party, and show other neighborhoods why The Heights is the best place in the city.

Sunday Night Columbia Heights Fare

Two excellent events this Sunday night happening in CH.

First, Bloombars is hosting "Seed of Sound" once again, this time with a magician and two musicians. 7:30PM, just up 11th from Kenyon.

And second, Commonwealth Pub Quiz is back and getting bigger. It was a good fight last week when Werewolf Bar Mitzvah took the top prize. 5 rounds of trivia. Starts at 7PM.

When Tools Attack: Wonderland Edition

Oh Wonderland, so blissful on a lazy Saturday afternoon or Sunday night. So friendly during the sundress party. So Columbia Heights on some days... and then there's Friday and Saturday nights.

And this Friday night, the tools attacked. Apparently a party bus rolled up outside, the kiddies (interns?) poured out, and then there was the dreaded line.

Witnessed...

Tool: Dude, they are from California and some of us are already inside, can't you just let them in.
Wonderland Bartender: Everyone is from California, the line is back there.
Tool: Come on bro, help me out.
Wonderland Bartender: Sorry.

Overheard...

Girl: This line is full of Nebraskans! I bet they haven't seen a Nebraska ID before!

Right... because here in DC nobody is from anywhere else like you. You must be special.

Proposed idea for next ANC meeting: Banning party buses from 11th Street? Where are you William Jordan? You'll love that idea!

Countdown to Columbia Heights Day

Today you can dine at local restaurants in support of Columbia Heights Day, but what really is happening at our annual neighborhood celebration next month? It took some searching on its novice website, but I found what is supposed to be a press release (or welcome letter, event overview?). What ever it is, it looks like organizers have stepped it up this year. Here's what you can look forward to on August 29:

10am - free yoga class from Quiet Mind Yoga

11 am - free performances by Flex Mathews (Best Local Hip-Hop Artist of 2009) and the Crimestoppers, Bonjour Ganesh, Clube do Samba, and more on the mainstage

New for this year - play some Guitar Hero courtesy of Best Buy, and see who gets crowned Mr. and Miss Columbia Heights Day at the dog show (for reals). There's even going to be an afterparty! (My guess, dancing upstairs at the Wonderland.)

Check out www.columbiaheightsday.org for more info.

Room 11: Throwing the Doors Open on August 10

Going Out Gurus over at Washington Post say August 10 is the day for Room 11 to throw the doors open.

Also of note, 20 seats inside, 28 on the patio. Can I bring my own chair?

Read the Going Out Gurus info here.

Columbia Heights Parking Program

I don't have a car, so I don't really understand this WTOP item on a parking pilot program in Columbia Heights.

But, apparently the city is trying to make it costlier to park on the street so that people will seek off-street parking. It's a "performance parking" system that charges you for your occupancy. I guess it's like an even meaner meter? Is that what it is?

Anyhow, there is a meeting about this tonight. I imagine many of you are now annoyed and/or outright angry.

A public meeting on the Columbia Heights pilot program is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Kelsey Temple Church of God at 1435 Park Road, NW.

For more information about the meeting, please contact Damon Harvey at 202-671-0493.

Health Care Event at Bloombars on Thursday

Tomorrow, Columbia Heights favorite non-profit art space is holding a "Health Care Happy Hour."

Stop by Bloombars (3222 11th Street, just up from the Wonderland) from 6PM - 9PM for a screening of Michael Moore's move Sicko, followed by a discussion on the issues presented.

Don't get confused though - just because it's a "happy hour" at a place with "bar" in its name doesn't mean there is booze available. Bloombars is alcohol free and will be serving up "healthy drinks and teas."

Updates on CH Streetscape Project

Over the weekend we tweeted about the noisy construction on Kenyon Street that was interrupting an otherwise usual Saturday brunch at The Heights. As the fountain / civic plaza nears completion, I was hoping the project's dedicated website at www.columbiaheights-streetscape.com would provide some updated details. Fail.

Luckily, the Post ran a pretty informative brief a few days ago that includes details on what is happening next. Be prepared for some lane closures on 14th between Columbia and Park beginning at the end of the month, as well as a slight re-route of the H8 bus.

The pickup of H8 Metrobus passengers will be relocated from 14th Street to the Irving Street bus stop near the Metro station entrance. Instead of turning north on 14th Street, the H8 bus will continue east on Irving Street. The bus stop on 14th, north of Irving, will be temporarily moved to a stop south of Irving near the CVS and Bank of America.

Further 14th Street work from Newton Street to Columbia Road is scheduled in November. Reconstruction of Irving Street, between 14th and 16th streets, will follow, with the entire project expected to be complete by late next spring.

Save the Date: Dine out for Columbia Heights Day

This Thursday, July 23, local restaurants, bars, and eateries will be part of a fundraiser for Columbia Heights Day. Eat at one of the participating restaurants and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to support the Third Annual Columbia Heights Day. They include:

• Commonwealth
• The Heights
• Looking Glass Lounge
• Panda Express
• Red Rocks
• Ritas
• Tonic
• Wonderland Ballroom

Columbia Heights Day is now less than six weeks away - Saturday, August 29. Let's hope the Tubman Elementary field will be complete by then. Anyone know if they are just resodding the field or installing astroturf?

Room 11 Coming Soon! I think they mean it this time!

Room 11 updated their construction blog this morning with the best news I've seen on there in a while - a certificate of occupancy! They said to expect their opening announcement date shortly. I feel the need to add a, "whoo hoo" to this. Whoo hoo!

Image is the occupancy certificate, as posted to Room 11's own blog.

Mad Progress at Chipotle

Unlike Ellwood Thompson (whose sign still claims they are "coming fall 2009"), Chipotle might actually be coming soon. A look inside the window shows some serious progress in getting that space Chipotle-ified.

Help Find this Cat Purr-Lease

This lovely kitty, Bismark, has gone missing. If you see it, it belongs to 650 Kenyon. From it's owners to the CH listserv:

Our black and white cat has gone missing. Last known whereabouts: Saturday 7/18/2009 our home at the intersection of Georgia and Kenyon. If anyone sees him or has any information about his whereabouts, please
contact me. It would be greatly appreciated and rewarded as well.

New Poll: The Park Controversy

Council Member Jim Graham asserts that the DC City Council has every right to name the park on 14th and Girard after the living, just like when he named the alley to honor the owner of Ben's Chili Bowl. And gosh darn it, he says, let's name it for Obama.

Regardless, the community is all "OBAMA!" "But the economy sucks!" "What about the children?" "Name it for the neighborhood!" You can join the debate in the CH forum if you have a better idea.

So, we made a poll. We didn't include every option we've heard, but we included some of the ideas floating around CH. What do YOU want to name the park?


View Larger Map

Jim Graham Breaks Up The Party

An illegal nightclub was shut down by the anti-fun police. Ok, it was the real police. And it was certainly good to shut down an illegal operation. I just wanted to say "anti-fun police." From Council Member Jim Graham:

Friends,

I want to congratulate and thank MPD and DCRA for their great team work at 2632 Georgia Ave. My office received reports from many of you that the G2 Lounge may be operating illegally out of this building. Upon police action on Saturday, July 11, DCRA confirmed there was no Basic Business License to operate the lounge. And no alcohol license. Further actions may be taken once DCRA receives the police reports.

Again, thank you to community residents for bringing the problem to our attention. I will keep you informed on the progress of the investigation and further actions.

Bests, Jim Graham

Stabbing in the 1000 block of Kenyon

MPD alerted listserv readers that a non-fatal stabbing occurred last night around 11 pm in the 1000 block of Kenyon St. (Yes, they wrote the wrong year in that message). Council member Jim Graham has more details:

Dear Friends, a fight between two feuding girl gangs culminated in a stabbing at 1024 Kenyon about 11 PM last night. The victim was a 16 year old girl and she is expected to recover. The fight, I am told, was over a MySpace issue. More as details are developed. Councilmember Jim Graham.

Obama Park on 14th and Girard?

The CH listserv lit-up with chatter over a poll about naming the newly updated (and beautiful!) park at 14th and Girard.

A poll by "Friends of Girard Park" put "Obama Park" in first place with 66 votes, followed by "Jim Graham Park" with 25 votes. The Heights Life thinks these are both excellent names, but wonders whether the latter should win so that we can get a bust of Jim Graham in the neighborhood.

Some folks seemed angry that they didn't get to vote, but Council Member Graham says everyone will have a chance to weigh in before a final decision is made. Moreover, the City Council will have to pass legislation to get it done.

UPDATE: Councilman Graham did indeed introduce a bill today to rename the 14th and Girard park "Barack Hussein Obama Park," but it looks like he didn't quite do his research. The Washington Post reports:

According to the D.C. Code, "No public space in the District shall be named in honor of any living person, or in honor of any person who has been deceased less than 2 years, unless the deceased person was a President or Vice President of the United States, a United States Senator or Representative, a Mayor of the District of Columbia, or a member of the Council of the District of Columbia."

Dino at Mount P Farmer's Market

Mount Pleasant's Saturday farmer's market was ever more pleasant this Saturday with the addition of a cooking demonstration by one of the best Italian restaurants in town.

Dino is up in Cleveland Park and has the best wine cellar in DC (some would say... including me). Dean was on hand doing the cooking, serving up some bruschetta and offering recipes that even come with a door prize. If you take your flyer from the farmer's market to Dino you get a "welcome glass of prosecco."

I've never had a bad meal at Dino. As for getting there from Columbia Heights, take the H2 or H4 right on over.

Red Rocks Pizzeria Turns Two

Happy birthday to Red Rocks! Red Rocks Pizzeria turns two years old today. It's been a good two years - there's the patio, the pizza, and that crazy heated tent thing we always made fun of in the winter months.

If you want to celebrate with Red Rocks you don't need to get them a present, in fact they are giving out the gifts for their own party.

From the @redrocksdc Twitter feed: Don't foget, Sunday (tomorrow) every bottle of wine is half-price in celebration our RedRocks' second anniversary. Happy Brithday to Us!

Uptowner Cafe Open on 14th and Park

Uptowner Cafe is now open in the Tivoli building. I haven't been yet, but if you have - let us know what you thought.

Uptowner is a sandwich shop. You can read the reviews of their other DC location here.

Great Green Places: Columbia Heights

The National Building Museum has been doing a series on Great Green Places and just featured Columbia Heights. There's some great info on the civic plaza in front of Park Triangle, as well as an admission that DCUSA has way too much parking and the city wasn't expecting so many people to walk or Metro to the retail center. AND - Council Member Jim Graham makes an appearance. The focus is on "transit and mixed-use facilities." Check it out here or watch below.

Great Green Places: Columbia Heights from National Building Museum on Vimeo.

New WSC Front Desk Policy

Following the bolt cutter theft incident, Washington Sports Club has a new front desk policy. Apparently the rule is they have to say hello and your name when they scan your card, like, "Hello, Spud Lite." And, every member has to have a picture associated with their account.

On my way out of the gym I noticed that the new policy is already causing some front desk traffic jams. Though if I'm not mistaken, Results on U Street always greeted me with my name - so maybe this is a pretty normal gym policy that WSC should have had ages ago.

Trinity Towers Shooting Memorial Debate

If you've walked down 14th Street in the last month since the shooting in front of Trinity Towers, you've probably seen the make-shift memorial to the young man who was killed. With booze bottles as a tribute and gang violence as the cause of the shooting, the memorial has quickly become controversial.

Now one resident has contacted Council Member Jim Graham asking him to take it down. She posted about it at the CH Forum where some of the forum's top demagogues have cried foul. You can read the debate here.

What do you think? Should the memorial be taken down? Was it appropriate to begin with?

Neighborhood Watching Coming to CH, Block Captains Needed

THL always supports a good crime-fighting cause, therefore we bring you this:

A new Neighborhood Watch is starting in Columbia Heights! Neighborhood Watch is a recognized way for concerned community members to get involved and make a difference. This community-based organization of citizens working together with law enforcement has helped prevent burglaries, thefts, and violent crimes nationwide for many years. Ordinary people agree to look out for their neighbors and their neighbors property. Through having assigned Block Captains, Neighborhood Watch facilitates communication to all neighborhood residents. Having Block Captains also makes it easier to organize community-based activities and events. NWCHCA Neighborhood Watch will work in close partnership with MPD PSA 302 to help make our neighborhood safer.

We need BLOCK CAPTAINS! Please become a Block Captain and come to the training. Everyone reading this knows at least one neighbor who would make a great Block Captain--please spread the word to them, and encourage them to come to the training on the 20th. To cover every block in Columbia Heights, we'll need HUNDREDS of Block Captains, so let's get started!!!

The first NWCHCA Neighborhood Watch Block Captains training session will be:

Date: Monday, July 20, 2009
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Location: St Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St NW, Washington, DC 20010
(usual NWCHCA meeting place: 16th St & Newton, Red Doors 16th-Street side, downstairs cafeteria)

YOGA WARS! Past Tense v. Quiet Minds

A yoga war is brewing in Columbia Heights! The first two emails in my CH Listserv Digest today:

1.

Past Tense yoga studio opens this weekend (7/11) From: jp.fielder

2.

enjoy headstands with daniel tonight at 8pm @ quiet mind From: nicole_ncrc

How long until we're all snapping our fingers in warrior pose having a yoga style brawl on the streets of our 'hood?

New Yoga Studio in Mount P

Mount Pleasant is getting a new yoga studio at the corner of Mt. Pleasant and Park. I don't really do the yoga - that's ArtBart's thing, but even I might be convinced to try it out since Past Tense (that's the new studio's name) is holding a free yoga class in Lamont Park on Sunday.

Class starts at 7PM at 17th and Lamont. You can see their other offerings at www.pasttensestudio.com. There is also an open house on Saturday from 10AM to 2PM, hosted by CH resident and Past Tense instructor/yogapreneur/local writer Kelly DiNardo.

Jim Graham Engages WSC on Security

Council Member Jim Graham will defend Washington Sports Club patrons everywhere! Or, at least in Columbia Heights.

The story has been everywhere - but a recap: One WSC gym patron had to take security matters into his own hands when a man with a bolt cutter stole his stuff in the men's locker room. He chased, he yelled, and WSC staff seemed to do something. The thief was apprehended, but the gym-goer is still livid. See the comments section on this post for more of his thoughts.

Now - Jim Graham has this to say to the gym hero:

Thank you for sharing this story and for the actions you took entirely on your own volition. I also want to applaud the off-duty police officer and guard at Bed Bath Beyond who eventually apprehended the thief.

I have copied Drew Greenwald with DC-USA on this email to bring this incident to his attention. I am requesting he work with Washington Sports Club to review their security procedures in the locker rooms and front desk coverage.

Let's keep in touch.

Bests, Jim Graham

Happy Pete's Delivery Day

As we mentioned last week, Pete's Apizza is starting their new delivery service today. Since we last posted, they expanded their boundary out to Georgia Ave. There is also a $20 minimum on orders.

Pete's says they are taking it hour by hour and might consider going outside that delivery area if they aren't busy, or might consider trimming it back in the future if it's too much.

THL lives a little too close to justify Pete's delivery, but for updates on how it's going you can check Twitter @petes_newhaven. Starts at 5PM tonight. Also, Pete's says they are organic so stop calling them Domino's. I'm inclined to agree - unless someone tells me Domino's has organic arugula salads.

Miss Nori? Buy it Back!

Nori is up for auction. You can buy their kitchen equipment and other items over at this auction site.

We noticed over the weekend that the "Now Open" sign is still hanging over the Park Road doors.

Alas, at least if you liked Nori (which we didn't), you can buy it back and make it your own.

Fourth of July Leftovers

An unfortunate traffic jam was not the only thing I encountered at Giant on Saturday .... behold, cupcake creations! Yes, there really are cupcakes under the pounds of frosting and food coloring.

WSC - Thief Apparently Caught in Men's Locker Room

There is an upsetting account of a locker robber at the DCUSA Washington Sports Club over at Prince of Petworth. Not sure about the veracity of the story, but if it is true - then a guy with bolt cutters was able to walk by the front desk, into the men's locker room, and start stealing stuff.

I happen to know that a friend who goes during peak hours also frequently just blows right by the desk because there is a long line. No ID checked, nothing - she just gets away with barreling in there. Nice security, WSC.

Traffic jam at Giant parking entrance

A Snapple truck with no where to go snarled traffic on Park Road Friday afternoon. Cars trying to leave the Giant parking garage were stuck while the truck blocked the exit. The traffic situation outside of Giant is rarely ideal, but today's incident reached a new level of ridiculousness. Seriously, just look at the back-up on the parking ramp!

Lots of progress at 14th and Girard park

Construction continues at 14th and Girard park but now that the fence has been removed you can see how much it truly has changed. The basketball court has been installed and some landscaping has been completed. The brick structures in the photos are restrooms. It is scheduled to reopen this summer, and a rendering of the park's final design is available here.

From the mailbox: Question about unzoned parking in Columbia Heights

A reader asks: "I have some friends driving down this weekend and I'm trying to figure out which streets in Columbia Heights are unzoned. I'm on Lamont between 11th and 13th. Any suggestions?"

Since this is a holiday weekend, all parking restrictions are suspended on Friday and Saturday. From the DC Department of Public Works:

• Parking enforcement for meters, rush hour ticketing and towing, residential parking, abandoned vehicles towing, and booting will be suspended.  Other violations – blocking a fire hydrant, crosswalk, bus stop, or driveway – will be enforced.

For other times, though, most of Columbia Heights is zoned parking. In pre-DCUSA days, weekend parking for visitors was fairly easy to find (minus Sunday mornings) and with few limitations. The arrival of the retail complex also brought about weekend parking restrictions for most streets within a 2-block radius of the complex.

Tree Comes Down on Irving

Right off 14th and on Irving, a big tree was being chopped up and
removed this morning.

Shiny New Domain Name!

Ever want to tell your friends in the CH about The Heights Life, but you couldn't remember our URL?

Well we just made it a little easier! THL can now be found at www.theheightslifedc.com. We can also be found at www.theheightslife.blogspot.com. OMG WE ARE EVERYWHERE! Also, www.twitter.com/theheightslife!

I think it will all redirect and such, but please do let us know if you have any issues finding our stuff.

Why didn't we get www.theheightslife.com you ask? Well apparently two nice young women from Houston already have it for their neighborhood, The Heights or Houston Heights or something like that. We will call them Bizzarro Spud Lite and ArtBart.

They may have won the domain name, but they lost the gmail address. They are theheightslifehouston at gmail. We, however, are theheightslife at gmail. One point Houston, one point DC. It's on!

Pete's Apizza Delivery Details

That's the Pete's Apizza delivery area you see there. Pete's says they will deliver from 5PM to close (10PM Sun-Thurs, 11PM Fri-Sat). Delivery boundaries are:

16th Street to the West
Upshur Street to the North
Georgia Avenue to New Hampshire Avenue to Sherman Avenue to the East
U Street to the South

Michael at Pete's says they could limit that delivery area depending on how service goes and he noted that it's a completely new venture for them with new drivers, etc. Once they get their delivery system sorted out, they plan to add Mt. Pleasant and then possibly Petworth.

There will be a delivery charge - $3 per address. 

Pete's Apizza Straight to Your Stoop

You may have seen this on the Twitter, but just in case you didn't...

Pete's Apizza is starting delivery next TUESDAY, July 7. Not sure what the delivery area is, but we've issued that inquiry.

So, when it's raining... when you're hungover... when you just want the pizza to come to you... you can now ask Pete's. (You can also ask Mr. Chen's or DC Noodles for food, too - THL likes those places.)

I wonder if this announcement has less to do with Pete's recent public survey and more to do with the Washingtonian telling President Obama to try Pete's. Is a White House delivery in the works?