New bike racks on 11th Street

It may be snowing today, but I like to think spring is right around
the corner. And in preparation there are some fancy new bike racks on
11th Street. The photo is from a bunch outside the Wonderland, but
another has already been installed by Room 11.

Vacancy update: Tivoli Square

Is the former Nori / Mayorga Coffee space at Tivoli Square cursed? It is a prime location in Columbia Heights but in the past 3.5 years, not one establishment there has had much success. And now The Washington Business Journal is reporting that the operators of Nori are being sued by the Tivoli Square owner for unpaid rent:

The tenant "failed to pay all rent due and owing under the lease," said the complaint. That resulted in the tenant's formal eviction Nov. 16, but the 6,000-square-foot space was vacated months before in July.

 The article also includes this litle tidbit: the corner spot has "has generated a lot of interest," according to its broker at KLNB Retail. So what does $160,00 a year rent give you:

• 3,012 SF vented corner restaurant space
• Additional 3,095 usable SF on lower level
• Lower Level has 12 ft. ceilings, is sprinklered and has two means of egress.
• Space includes two large walk-in coolers
• Conveniently located across the street from Columbia Heights
• Metro Station and the new 550,000 SF DC USA Shopping Center
• Join Giant Food, GALA Theatre, Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Washington Sports Club and many others in historic Columbia Heights

Also still available in Tivoli Square is the spot formerly occupied by Rumberos. Got some details on what may move in there, or have a request? Leave a comment below.

Olympic Special @ Social

We don't write much about Social on this blog because we never go there. But... Social has done it. They finally gave me a reason to go back after many many months.

In a few weeks, CH readers may notice this blog freaking out about how much we love the Olympics. Because WE LOVE THE OLYMPICS. I'm watching ice dancing nationals right now. No, I can't skate - but I do LOVE those twizzles.

Anyhow, Social gets my Olympic love and has a legit Olympic special. Actually, to make this really legit - Social best be showing the Olympics on all their TVs (if they have TVs... I can't recall). Anyhow, here it is:

OLYMPIC SPECIAL

2/12 – 2/28

 

$4 Bronze, Silver and Gold Margaritas in the Cellar on days the U.S. wins medals of that type.

Get your Jersey-perfect coif at Target

Photographic evidence that the DCUSA Target is a fan of the "Jersey Shore" look. That and the store sells bumpits.

More local restaurant news: new hours for The Heights

Here at THL, we are not ashamed of our love for brunch at The Heights. It's the convenience of the place more than anything. And if you stopped by 14th Street restaurant in the new year, you may have noticed it has new hours. Weekend brunch may have moved back to a 10 am start, but evening hours have expanded.

Here's when you can get your bloody mary / steak salad / "other entree here" fix:

Sunday - 10 am to 10:30 pm
Monday and Tuesday - Noon to 10:30 pm
Wednesday and Thursday - Noon to 11:00 pm
Friday - Noon to Midnight
Saturday - 10 am to Midnight

Commonwealth Courts the Family Crowd

Maybe it's because I don't have children, or like children, but this seems kinda novel for our neighborhood. Commonwealth is actively courting the "family" business with free food for kids and a new kids menu:

Family Nights at CommonWealth Gastropub: Tuesdays and Saturdays! Starting Tuesday January 12, 2010, 5pm -7pm kids 10 and under eat free*! *One kid's meal per adult meal. And introducing our new kid's menu: Chef's Choice Pasta, Burger w/ chips, Fish 'n chips, Hot Dog w/ chips, Hummus and Veggies.

Not gonna lie, I won't be going to the restaurant during "family time." However... I don't go there now during those times because it's kinda early, so I guess what I'm saying is this doesn't change my behavior at all.

Let's All Rent Some Movies

Yesterday evening, my friends asked me if I saw The Netflix map from The New York Times? I had not, but they assured me I would love it. And I did.

Using just simple data from Netflix -- the top 50 rentals by zipcode for major U.S. cities -- nytimes.com has created a great multimedia graphic for those interested in pop culture and demographics.

So what's popular in Columbia Heights? Looking at the 20010 and 20011, the top-rented among the two zip codes are:

• Burn After Reading
• The Changeling
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Doubt
• Frost/Nixon
• Milk
• Rachel Getting Married
• Revolutionary Road
• Seven Pounds
• Slumdog Millionaire
• Twilight
• Vicky Christina Barcelona
• The Wrestler

Have you ever rented any of these titles on Netflix? There's a good chance you did.

More insanity courtesy of the Columbia Heights listserv

H/T to DCist for posting about this lively exchange on the Columbia Heights listserv (my Yahoo Groups subscription has been acting funky). One of your neighbors and mine, is so much against the new no plastic bag law that he will get in his Prius and drive in Maryland because it is better for the environment and he will not be taxed there. Really, here is what he had to say:

I discovered something interesting this weekend while shopping at Target:  I now will spend less resulting in less taxes collected by the city for my purchases.  Why?  I refuse to pay the 5 cent per bag tax.  So I will only buy what I can carry in my own two hands.  I usually spend hundreds of dollars a weekend at Target.  Now I spend very little.

Fewer purchases = less sales tax generated = more money left in my bank account.  And I am not alone.

I also now find it cheaper to drive my hybrid to the Safeway in Maryland to purchase groceries.  I get 50+ MPG in my hybrid so an extra mile is nothing compared to 5 cents per bag.  So Maryland will now get my sales tax money.

I also find myself ordering more things online now so that they can be delivered bag tax and sales tax free.  The only problem is now I need to throw away all those boxes and packaging material.  There is no tax on sticking it in my trash can.

So there you go City Council.  Someone with a 6 figure salary has now made a lifestyle change because of the bag tax.  Taxation without representation now done locally.

Here's to all the Amazon boxes now clogging the rivers. 

As Spud Lite noted: "Umm, since when do we get to vote on every tax? Oh ... since never." Oh, and it gets better from there.

Columbia Heights New Year's Eve Guide

New Years's Eve is one of those holidays that you either love or you hate. If you have at least a little appreciation for the holiday, here is a rundown of what the neighborhood bars and restaurants are offering on Thursday night.

CommonWealth is offering a special three-course dinner for $45 a person from 5 to 9 pm. Reservations are recommended. All night the pub is hosting its 2nd annual Vicars & Tarts fancy dress party. There is no cover, a prize for best costume and a champagne toast at midnight.

http://www.commonwealthgastropub.com/

Today is the last day to place a reservation for NYE dinner at The Heights. The restaurant is featuring a three-course menu for $35 to $59 per person, wine and champagne are offered at the $49 and $59 level.

http://www.theheightsdc.com/NewYears.pdf

The Red Derby is advertising is New Year's Eve party as such: No cover, no fuss. Blowers, hats, and whistles. Free champagne toast at midnight.

http://www.redderby.com/home

Room 11 is featuring a five-course cocktail and food pairing dinner for $100 per person. There will be two seatings at 7 and 10 pm, and a champagne toast is included in the cost. Call 202-332-3234 any day after 5 pm to make a reservation.

http://www.room11dc.com/

Social is celebrating New Year's Eve around the world with free toasts at every hour.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bar-club-events/new-years-eve-at-social,1159886.html

Wonderland is having a dance party with DJ Meistro and Deepsang. Cover is $10 per person or $15 a couple.

http://www.thewonderlandballroom.com/events.htm

Even for city residents, New Year's Eve can be a transpiration nightmare. Here's how to get home.

Metro

On New Year's Eve, Metrorail will operate on a weekday schedule, opening at 5 a.m., and staying open two hours late, closing at 2 a.m. All Metrorail trains will operate with six-cars. Metrobus will operate on a weekday schedule and will also operate until 2 a.m.

DCist reports the Circulator will have extended hours, as well. "On Dec 31, the Georgetown-Union Station route will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.., while the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route will run even longer, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m."

SoberRide is also available on New Year's Eve. To reserve a SoberRide cab ride (up $50 in fare) call 1-800-200-8294 (TAXI) or #8294 (TAXI) on your AT&T wireless phone.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays CH!

Best wishes to Columbia Heights!

My Columbia Heights Christmas wishes? An Ellwood Thompson and sushi place for 2010!

It's Nice to be WJLA's Doug Hill

I'm pretty sure that WJLA's chief meteorologist Doug Hill followed Mayor Fenty's advice, even though he isn't in his jurisdiction, and stayed home all day. It appears to this TV observer (who has observed no less than six hours of snow coverage today) that Hill has been broadcasting from his driveway and his den. And you know what? That's what I've been doing, too! Doug Hill, he's just like us!

Follow The Heights Life on Twitter for #snOMG updates

The snowmageddon in Snowlumbia Heights was the best thing that happened to Twitter in, well, a few days. So to receive the latest updates on what's open, what's closed, how the snow is affecting the neighborhood be sure to follow The Heights Life on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theheightslife.

Snolumbia Heights Day

Mayor Fenty says you aren't supposed to go outside. Like... at all. Even without car. Even to walk on the sidewalks.

But whatever, we went to brunch at The Heights - as usual. For a snowmageddon day, Columbia Heights is bustling! The Heights was seriously bumpin'. We were able to grab some bar seats and sample two of the new menu items.

On the way back we thought we might hit Target, having heard it was open. But whoa! Half of DC was at DCUSA and Target and Bed Bath & Beyond had CLOSED! Also, we hear the gym closed earlier, too. Payless was open. And Chipotle. And Starbucks. Not sure about Radiance MediSpa, but if you miss your botox appointment you can just do what I did and try making a face imprint in the snow. Or don't... I still can't feel my left cheek.

Snow Cat in Snolumbia Heights!