Building Demolition on Irving Street

A mini dust storm made its way down Irving Street this morning as a demolition crew knocked down the La Casa shelter in the 1400 block. It's making way for an expansion of the Highland Park apartment complex, as well as a new building for the men's shelter.

Here is what DCmud had to say about the new construction:

Originally approved as the "Calla Lilly", a 69 unit residence, the building will now feature a setback penthouse level and blend more harmoniously into Highland Park. The recent zoning extension also alleviates parking requirements by taking advantage of Highland Park's underground garage. The new Highland Park West apartment tower will front Irving Street and be connected to its sibling, both physically and visually, replicating the style of the existing apartments. A new shelter facility will occupy the back portion of the lot, and will stand separately from the apartment buildings.

Oscar host to visit Columbia Heights?

Your favorite actor / PhD student / performance artist / Academy Award host / author, James Franco, is headlining a fundraiser for 826DC on March 31, according to a save the date on its blog.

No word yet on if the event will be held in Columbia Heights, but if so, he can be added to the list of notables who have visited the neighborhood in recent years. President Obama and Michelle Obama signed the child nutrition bill at Tubman Elementary in December. And a number of Hollywood actresses stopped by the Unity Health Care Upper Cardozo Clinic in 2009.

Columbia Heights Marketplace announces 2011 season

Good news. We are just 13 weeks away from the opening of the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace. The Saturdays-only farmers' market had a great inaugural year and is now looking for new vendors for 2011.

They are especially looking for those who sell the following: grass-fed beef, poultry and goat meat, goat cheese, milk from free-range cows, and mushrooms. Interested vendors can apply online (PDF).

Some notes for potential vendors: the market is producer-only market and offers food from within 150 miles of Washington, DC. For processed foods, 75% of ingredients must come from within this radius, and you must have a business license and use a certified kitchen in order to be eligible.

The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace will run from May 7 - December 17, 2011, and the hours are 9 am-2 pm on Saturdays.

Photo courtesy of www.chfestivus.org.

Events for Literatis

Quick, you have about an hour to make you way to a reading at 826DC tonight. Beginning at 7 pm, the hip nonprofit is hosting a free McSweeney's-heavy reading with authors Stephen Elliott, Eric Martin, Jessica Anthony and Ted Thompson. Stop by the group's Museum of Unnatural History at the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza (14th / Park / Kenyon) to attend and click here for more info. 

Still missing your days an English Lit major? Head down to the Black Cat tomorrow night for a Bomb Magazine, Featherproof, and NY Tyrant-hosted event to benefit 826DC. Literature Party for a Cause starts at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $10 with Blake Butler as your host and music from DJ Lil' E. More info online at http://www.literatureparty.com/.