Men in Sundresses: A Photo Essay

It is a surprisingly simple premise. Neighborhood bar throws a party every year on the first Sunday of May, everyone is encouraged to wear sundresses, and also eat some pig to raise money for a local cause. Having gone to four of the five Sundress parties to date, I have to say accessories ruled during this year's fashion show. Our sartorial look of this year's wears are below.

Sundress Fest 2009 - Rain or Shine

Sundress Fest 2009 at the Wonderland Ballroom proved that it doesn't take sun for a solid sundress party. More to come, including video and a slide show of the best men's sundress competition. In the mean time... feast your eyes on these beasts:

Columbia Heights Streetside Art

Between 14th and 15th on Irving Street:

The Mt. Pleasant and U Street Farmers' Markets are Back

This Saturday both the U Street and Mt. Pleasant farmers' Market are open for the season. I have found the markets to have similar offerings and prices, but Mt. P might win for an opening day bonus: spring bike tune up!

14th&U Farmers' Market
Reeves Center sidewalk - 14th and U streets NW
Saturdays - 9 am to 1 pm
May 2 to November 21
On the Web: www.14andufarmersmarket.com
E-mail: marketsandmore@gmail.com

Mt. Pleasant Farmers' Market
Lamont Park - Lamont and Mt. Pleasant streets NW
Saturdays - 9 am to 1 pm
May 2 to November 21
On the Web: www.mtpfm.org
E-mail: rebbie@pinkopaque.com
Participating farms and producers:


View Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market in a larger map

All Around the Neighborhood: Pancakes, Crime and Love

Pancakes! Maybe... Prince of Petworth is reporting some "scuttlebutt" that IHOP is considering coming to DCUSA. The big question, says ArtBart, is how late it would stay open. The Heights Life has long supported a 24 hour restaurant to save us from 2AM CVS mac and cheese purposes. And hey... pancakes! Did we mention the many kinds of syrup?

Crime! It's warm out, which means more people on the streets and an inevitable crime spike. The Heights Life witnessed a good amount of police activity around the neighborhood this weekend. Yesterday evening, three police cars raced up 14th at ridiculous speeds. And the CH Yahoo Group has two disturbing reports. One person asked about shots fired in broad daylight on Sunday afternoon. Another says there is a groper in the neighborhood.

Love! The CH News Forums are notoriously nasty. Last year a group of forum posters held a happy hour to try to engender a little forum love, but DCDireWorlf and broNat continue to battle with CH Kool Aid and New2CH. Alas, one friendly forumite has decided to seek some common ground based on universal support for escalators at the Metro and universal hate for zombies. As of this update, nobody has joined in the attempt at forum community building.

Another change for Park Triangle public space

The Columbia Heights Streetscape project continues to change the public area in front of the Park Triangle retail. It went from dusty gravel to no pedestrian access to nice bricks to again no pedestrian access in less than a year. Now is looks like the construction of the civic plaza with fountain is finally officially underway. Check out the project's website for updates - http://www.columbiaheights-streetscape.com/index.htm.

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.

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

In praise of drinking outside

A busy work schedule has prevented me from participating in one of my favorite activities, drinking outside. But now that life has calmed down for a bit and spring has fully arrived, I am ready to enjoy the great outdoors. So last night I headed to the Wonderland's beer garden. As the Prince of Petworth reported yesterday, there are now tables on the 11th Street sidewalk, which helps offset the usual crowding in the beer garden. Also a new addition, is a tap outside where you can get a $4 Belgian white beer during happy hour. It saves you a trip inside, but then you couldn't make a stop at the jukebox and chat with whoever is bartending that day.

But last night. Last night encompassed everything that's great about living in Columbia Heights (or any city neighborhood with a quality bar and outdoor seating). Your bloggers met friends, old and new; shared quite a few rounds of drinks with said friends; and finally headed home after Miss Angela herded us inside as the patio approached its Cinderella hour of midnight.

The Wildlife of Columbia Heights, part 1

The squirrels are back!