BloomBars Fundraiser this Week

"Friends of BloomBars" is hosting fundraiser this Thursday for the one-year-old community art and performance space. An abundance of hugging aside, I enjoy checking out BloomBars at least once a month. It is great to have an emerging arts group in neighborhood, one that definitely has room to grow and deserves the support. Suggested donation is $10 - $15. RSVP to friendsofbloombarsdc@gmail.com.

Thursday, July 2
8:30 pm - 12 am
BloomBars at 3222 11th Street NW

First Lady Makes Health Grant Announcement in Columbia Heights

This isn't the first time Michelle Obama has visited the neighborhood, or the first time Unity Health Care hosted a high profile visitor, but it is the most recent. The First Lady was at the Upper Cardozo Health Center this afternoon to announce $851 million in recovery grants for community health centers. The Upper Cardozo Health Center will receive $2.5 million in funds, enabling it to build 20 new exam rooms able to handle 24 percent more patients. Five grantees in DC will get a total of $4.4 million in funds.

“Community Health Centers provide care to the Americans who need it most and their work has never been more important,” said Obama in her remarks. “These grants will help Unity’s Upper Cardozo and thousands of centers across the country expand and serve more Americans who simply can’t afford insurance coverage anymore."

According to the pool report, she also discussed childhood obesity, teen pregnancy, and early literacy with staff and guests at the health center.

Image from Reuters via Yahoo! News.

Review: Commonwealth Trivia Night = Opposite of Bad

That's right! Commonwealth's new trivia night is GOOD!

The Heights Life went to check out The Quizmaster of Georgia Avenue's second installment of trivia night at Commonwealth Gastropub. As Looking Glass trivia loyalists know, host Dalton has the question and answer schtick down. But... he's added some new twists in what he's dubbed his "trivia lab" for Commonwealth.

You can expect the usual five rounds including a handout and an audio round - but to mix it up there are some rewards for speed and accuracy. And who knows - that might not be all he's got planned. This time those rounds seemed to go over particularly well, especially at my hyper-competitive table.

The crowd was light but I wouldn't expect it to stay that way for long. Trivia takes place in a cozy corner of the bar starting circa 7PM and the prizes are really damn good. And you know what else was good? The Commonwealth food and drink service in the bar area. Yes, the drinks cost more than Wonderland Mondays - but the beer selection keeps it interesting.

Trivia currently remains an every other week affair. If you think you're smart, mark your calendar for two weeks from yesterday and come challenge us. THL will own you (maybe...).

Lost and Found: We Found Your Shoe

Are you missing a shoe? Because this one has taken up residence on Irving Street, just past 14th across from CVS.

THL Prediction Come True: Nori Dies

The Heights Life kinda hated Nori. We had nothing but crap service and mediocre food there, and it was too bad since it's such an interesting space and good location. Alas, our predictions of Nori's death seem to have come true. RIP Nori Asia Bistro. But oh well - we still have Pho 14... and that place is actually good.

I know, some of you liked it there and will be mad that we're not mad that it's dead. But well, it is. And now hopefully something better will go in there... because it can't get much worse. That place sucked.

Here's the CH Forum chatter on the topic. And here's a link to our past posts on Nori.

A Tweet Tip: FLOTUS to Columbia Heights?

UPDATE: FLOTUS in the neighborhood this afternoon. She'll be at the Upper Cardozo Health Clinic at 2:15 pm. Source: Politico.



A tip from the Twitter: FLOTUS Michelle will be at Upper Cardozo Health Clinic on 14th on Tuesday (per Politico)

Councilman Graham is on the Twitter

I can't believe it took me this long to discover our favorite Council member is on Twitter. Follow him @jimgraham_ward1 
So far his tweets echo his listserv and blog posts, but perhaps a Twitterview should be in the works (even though Spud Lite hates that word).

CH Greenspace Blog & Next Clean-Up

New2CH over on the Columbia Heights Forums is looking for some more volunteers and contributors to help clean up our neighborhood greenspace and blog about it. Here's the blog: http://chgreenspace.blogspot.com/.

And the next chance to volunteer at a clean-up:

The next "official" greenspace clean-up will be Saturday, July 18, 10:00 A.M.-11:00 P.M to coincide with the North Columbia Heights Civic Association and the Tivoli North Businesses Association clean-ups. Meet at the Greenspace at 10:00. Trash bags will be provided.

What Are You Waiting For? Thai Tanic / Uptowner Edition

Eventually, they will come. Social, Room 11, Meridian Pint...

And also these two. First, Thai Tanic. The sign still promises Summer 2009, so they've got three months minus three days to make it happen. Clock starts now.

Thai Tanic was the only notable sign up in the Allegro. I've got no insight into their retail space, but most of it still had "lease me" signs in the windows.

I'm also wondering what the deal is with Uptowner Cafe. Any tips? The "Coming Soon" sign has been up for ages, the interior does not appear ready, but now there is a column covered in a menu sign, too.

I am not a CH luncher, so I doubt I'll even notice this place. Email theheightslife@gmail.com if you see any action there.

Regular Blogging to Resume Tomorrow

I have some stuff to blog, but it seems odd to write about anything other than the horrific Metro accident yesterday. So I won't. Until tomorrow. Since I know all I've looked for on blogs all day was Metro accident news.

In the interim, I suggest Washington City Paper and DCist for Metro crash coverage.

Room 11: Inspections, Inspections, Inspections

The Heights Life checked in with Room 11, which we've prematurely decided is one of our favorite spots in Columbia Heights, to see when they might open. We may have begged them to say "tomorrow."

The answer, sadly, isn't tomorrow - but they do have their construction inspection on Wednesday, after which they will apply for a "Certificate of Occupancy," and then they have to have their health inspection (fine fine, health is good).

Sounds like our pacing and waiting on 11th Street will continue for a while longer. In the mean time, they've updated their site here: http://room11-comingsoon.blogspot.com/.

New Bar "Local 11" Coming to CH?

Thanks to New2CH over on the Columbia Heights Forums for being my source on this news.

New alcohol application up for 3418 11th Street, filed as "Local 11, Inc."

They want to serve booze, American fare, stay open late, and are a "Class C Tavern." They also apparently want to fit 75 people in the space.

Read the application here. The hearing date is August 17.

Yay? Nay? Will Wililam Jordan's head explode?

Fojol Brothers Park in CH

The Fojol Brothers food cart stopped off in Columbia Heights today. If you aren't familiar, this "traveling culinary carnival" dishes out delicious Indian fare with a side of wacky. Today I think I saw someone in a tutu doing headstands on the side walk. Read/see more here. And their official site is here. You can usually find them late-night in bar hot spots.

Councilmember Graham's Intern = Metro Shooter

I wanted to name this post "When Interns Attack," but figured I would be accused of making light of a scary and sad situation, but subhead: When Interns Attack.

The lead on the news this morning was none other than Councilmember Jim Graham explaining how his intern was the CH metro shooter and that he was the one who brought him in to be booked. The police then pointedly said they didn't advise others to do what Councilmember Graham did - driving an armed young man with an open arrest warrant to the police station. I personally think that Graham's actions were brave and commendable. I also think it commendable that he hires diverse and possibly at-risk youth to intern in his office. Here's the email from Councilmember Graham explaining the situation:

Dear Friends:

This morning I sent out the message, below.

By early afternoon, I received a call from media with a rumor that the shooter was an intern in my office.

I could hardly believe what I heard...all the same, I confronted the young man with this incredible report. He had started work in my office only this week, and had been absent for the better part of two days.

He had been at the Convention Center for the summer youth program. In response to my direct questions, he denied any involvement with the afternoon shooting.

I also contacted a high ranking MPD official, who assured me that MPD at that time had no suspects.

I then went to the Mayor's press conference on gang violence at 14th and Irving. During the press conference, I heard MPD announce that they had a suspect and expected to make an arrest before the end of the day.

When I got back to the office, after 5 PM, all the interns had left. But I received a call from MPD saying they had a warrant for the intern's arrest on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.

I then called the intern, whose is a 19 year old named Devyn Black, and told him there was a warrant out for his arrest.

I advised him that the best course for action was for him to turn himself in, and cooperate with eh police.

I offered to come and get him in my car and take him to the Third District headquarters at 17th and V.

He agreed, and I went and got him. He surrendered to police and 3D, was charged and is now in custody.

It's very sad and upsetting. But he did the right thing ultimately.

Have a good and safe weekend, Bests Councilmember Jim Graham