News, notes, and happenings

It's time to clean out the inbox, go through that RSS feed, and read those tweets. Here is some news in and around Columbia Heights.

- The 14th & U and Mt. Pleasant farmers' markets open for the season on Saturday. Both markets run from 9 am to 1 pm. On the web at http://14andufarmersmarket.com/ and http://mtpfm.com/ (new website!)

- Mt. Pleasant Music Fest follows the farmers' market in Lamont Park on Saturday. The 2 - 7 pm line up features: Deleted Scenes (MT P), Four Horseman (MT P), Deutschmarks (Columbia Heights), Frau Eva (MT P), Aaron Thompson (MT P), Royal Forest, and DJ Wanako (Radio CPR)

- Sunday. Wonderland. Sundress party. Benefits Neighbors' Consejo. Nuff said.

- Also on Sunday, the Columbia Heights Target will indeed be carrying Zac Posen's new discount line.     

- Alero at the Tivoli will also be having its soft opening on Sunday. Grand opening on Cinqo de Mayo to follow. (via Prince of Petworth).

- DC public pools open in just a few weeks on Memorial Day weekend, and New Columbia Heights reports that Banneker Pool will have new chairs.

Good-bye Rita's, Hello Fro-yo

Fears of a summer treat-less Columbia Heights can be heeded. A reader wrote to the Prince of Petworth today that a frozen yogurt shop is set to take over the old Rita's Italian Ice spot in the Park Triangle building. FroZenYo (aka froyo) is set to open in about two weeks. The franchise has two locations already in DC: downtown at 10th and F streets and in Friendship Heights by the Mazza Gallerie. The store's novelty is its self-serve concept:

At froyo, you only pay for what you get. At only 39 cents an ounce, it's also the best deal in town. With an assortment of flavors, toppings, and fresh fruit, you're bound to come up with a concoction to your liking.

While I will miss Rita's this seems like a good replacement for the civic plaza. What do you think?

Tennis anyone?

It's time to bring my decade-long break from tennis to an end. But before I make my comeback on the court, I need to know where to play. The DC Department of Parks and Recreation has a good list of outdoor public courts, but where are the best ones in and around Columbia Heights?

There are four DPR courts nearby, plus the Rock Creek Tennis Center is up 16th Street at the Carter Barron. But the Marie-Reed courts in Adams Morgan always seem to have at least a few people waiting at every hour on the weekends. Are the others the same?

So local tennis pros, let's hear from you. Where are the best places for a friendly tennis match?


View Tennis Courts Nearby in a larger map

Streetscape Construction STILL continues

Pavers and cones and asphalt, oh my! So road and sidewalk construction (and accompanying traffic woes) will continue through the next few months as the Columbia Heights Streetscape project reaches its final stages.

Yesterday, DDOT issued an alert that 14th Street around the Metro stop will be one lane in both directions due to road resurfacing. Additionally the bus stop north of 14th and Irving will be moved south, close to CVS. This combined with the ongoing work between Park and Monroe will likely cause more traffic backups in the coming weeks.

The good news, though, is that the project will finally be complete by mid-summer. A full timeline is available here -- http://www.columbiaheights-streetscape.com.

Gentlemen Shave Your Legs: It's Sundress Time

Sundress Fest is back! Sunday, May 2 - Wonderland. See you there.

Neighborhood Yard Sale This Saturday

The Columbia Heights Day Initiative with partners Tivoli North Business Association and the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace is throwing a neighborhood-wide yard sale on Saturday. You can also drop-off your (nice!) small household items for donation to Community of Hope at the Park Triangle Fountain.

Check out http://columbiaheightsday.org/springclean for info and the map below to find out about all the yard sales.


View "Columbia Heights Spring Clean!" in a larger map

Rita's is No More

I only thought it was a little bit weird that Rita's at the Park Triangle didn't open on the first day of Spring. And then I was a little confused that the Columbia Heights location isn't listed on its website. And now this evening, it is official ... our local Rita's is closed. Where will I get my Saturday post-pool lemonade/iced tea Italian ice? Or the occasional vanilla soft serve with sprinkles?

While I am sure there are challenges to operating a seasonal store, in the Spring and Summer Rita's was jumping. Often with lines out the door. And now there are two empty retail spots in the Park Triangle. Hey, Pete's Apizza ... when will that homemade gelato be ready?