Leaf Collection Starts Monday

DPW sent over some helpful tips on leaf collection, as well as a link to the schedule. Leaf collection stars Monday, November 8.

Here are some tips for a smooth-running leaf collection season:

* Look up your street's collection schedule at http://leaf.dcgis.dc.gov/.

* Rake leaves into the treebox space the weekend before your street's collection cycles.

* Please - leaves only! Tree limbs, bricks, dirt, rocks, etc., will damage the equipment and delay collections.

* Prevent fires, parking problems and possible flooding by placing leaves in the treebox space, not in the street. When it rains, leaves will block the storm drain and cause flooding. Please remove any leaves you see blocking the storm drain.

* If you choose to bag your leaves, please use paper bags. Plastic bags will damage the equipment. You may place bagged leaves in the treebox space or next to the trash/recycling container(s).

* Protect the safety of our crews by driving slowly around their work area or change your route and avoid them altogether.

826 DC Open House this Saturday

It looks like you can make a fun day for yourself tomorrow at the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza. In addition to the farmers' market running from 9 am to 2 pm, the nonprofit 826 DC and its "Museum of Unnatural History" will open its doors from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

The group is encouraging people to: "Come explore our fantastic storefront, The Museum of Unnatural History, and hear about our workshops, field trips, in-school, and after-school tutoring programs for kids. The event is open to the public, so please: stop by. Say hi."

Image courtesy of 826 DC

Alero gets started on Halloween early

The Columbia Heights Alero is beginning its Halloween celebration a bit early this year with a party tonight. Drink specials and a DJ start at 10 pm.

"Tivoli North" community day this Saturday

Do you swear by the tacos at Taqueria Distrito Federal? Interested in seeing what's on stage at the Gala? Then check out the Taste of Tivoli North this Saturday.

The 1300 block of Spring Road NW is host to this community showcase, and the event is presented by Tivoli North Business Association. Stop by between 12 and 6 pm to see live music and sample local food, along with kids activities.

More information online at www.tivolinorth.com.

Writes the organizers: Taste of Tivoli North aims to showcase talent of our surrounding community, attract neighbors to meet local business owners, and highlight cleanliness, safety, and beautification.

New view of Streetscape project via Google Maps

The great folks at Greater Greater Washington pointed out that Google Maps recently updated its DC satellite view. Where were you around 1 pm on Sunday, August 29?

I have been known to spend hours on Google Maps and Google Earth, but I was really surprised to see the full aerial shot Columbia Heights Streetscape Project. I never noticed the concentric circles before.

You can also see Columbia Heights Day, the day after.

View Larger Map

View Larger Map

Call for another trivia night?

I like bar trivia. I often win at bar trivia. But do we really need another one in Columbia Heights? Organizers from Trivia Kings, who host a number of events at DC bars, have started a petition on Facebook to bring a trivia night to Meridian Pint. With a weekly trivia at Wonderland on Mondays, a bi-weekly game at Commonwealth on Sundays, when would be the best fit for our newest 11th Street spot? 

New arts groups hosts fundraiser tonight

Looking for something to do tonight? A new music education group in Columbia Heights is having their first fundraiser. Stop by the Wonderland beginning at 8 pm to learn more about (and support) The Respect Music Foundation. There will be live music featuring an experimental set with Jason McMullen (drummer of The Drains) and DJ BlueMenthol. Drink specials include $5 PBR and Beam shot combos. Proceeds will go towards Resepct Music Foundation arts and educational programming, which will be used to obtain grants to build a community music cooperative, where artists may rehearse, record and produce for free in exchange for providing music lessons to the public.

details on new 11th St. Mexican restaurant

The Washington City Paper has a nice interview with the folks who will be opening a new Mexican restaurant in the 3300 block of 11th Street. Writes Tim Carman at Young & Hungry:

Jackie Greenbaum, the restaurateur known for her eponymous industrial DayGlo eatery in Silver Spring, has signed a lease to open a casual Mexican restaurant in Columbia Heights. The tiny, 800-square-foot operation will be located at 3313 11th St., in a former liquor store, and will not only sell regional Mexican foods but also snacks inspired by the L.A. street food scene.

It's great to see that their plans includes being open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and maybe even a rooftop deck. Will this be the new hotspot of 2011?

New Capital Bikeshare installed

I didn't notice this yesterday, so it must be a new addition. The Capital Bikeshare station, minus the actual bikes, has been installed at 14th and Harvard streets. Will you be one of the renters / cyclists?

Top 5 Things to Do on Columbia Heights Day

You know the details: Saturday, 10 to 6 pm, Tubman Field. Now here are some things to do.

1. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food rules at this year's festival. Not only are many Columbia Heights restaurants and bars offering all day specials, but some of your favorite food trucks will be parked on Kenyon Street.

2. Strike up the band. After grabbing some food, stop by the Main Stage for live music all day.

3. Cheer for the future Queen (at 11:45 am) or King (at 1:00 pm) of Columbia Heights Day. The competition will take place on the Second Stage at the festival and I am happily serving as one of the judges.

4. Cute overload. Bring your pup to the Dog Show (at 10:30 am) or be a kid again by stopping by the petting zoo but watch out of for the sheep.

5. Show your neighborhood pride with a Columbia Heights t-shirt. Two different styles will be on sale for $10 - $12.

Countdown to Columbia Heights Day

Next Saturday, August 28 is the 4th Annual Columbia Heights Day festival. Want to what's happening at Tubman Field and around the neighborhood, check out the schedule and map below. (Ed note: I am part of the Columbia Heights Day planning team)

4TH ANNUAL COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DAY

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

10 am - 6 pm

Tubman Field - 11th & Kenyon St. NW

www.columbiaheightsday.org

SCHEDULE:

10:00 am Columbia Heights bike tour and scavenger hunt--starts at Tubman Field

10:00 am Morning yoga from Quiet Mind Yoga--Tubman Field

10:30 am Dog Show--Tubman Field

11:00 am Electric 11s (rock)--Main Stage

11:45 am Queen of Columbia Heights competition--Second Stage

12:15 pm Czars of Leisure (rock)--Main Stage

1:00 pm King of Columbia Heights competition--Second Stage

1:30 pm The Chariots (reggae)--Main Stage

2:15 pm Batala (percussion group)--Second Stage

2:45 pm La Unica Irish Band--Main Stage

3:30 pm Sticky Fingers Cupcake Eating Contest--Second Stage

4:15 pm Armchairs (rock)--Main Stage

5:15 pm Belladonna (belly dancing) --Second Stage

5:45 pm Flex Matthews (hip hop)--Main Stage

View Columbia Heights Day 2010 in a larger map

Room 11 turns the big "1" today

Sometimes it's difficult to remember way back when there was no friendly, neighborhood wine bar at 11th and Lamont streets. All of 13 months ago. Tonight Room 11 is celebrating its 1-year anniversary with some special treats:

- Complimentary sparkling wine with a purchase. 

- Drink specials on wine and cocktails.

- There will be punch.

As it has been written here numerous times, I am a big fan of Room 11. Every visit I know I can get something good to drink, a nice bite to eat, and a wonderful dessert. Now if they could just get some citronella candles on the patio...

CH Neighborhood Tees

Columbia Heights Day is now less than three weeks away: Saturday, August 28 (mark your calendars!).  And while there'll be bands and food and a petting zoo, there will also be opportunities to increase your Columbia Heights t-shirt collection.

The list so far includes:

1. Columbia Heights Day - official 2010 festival shirts, plus DC flag shirts ($10 to $12)

2. North Columbia Heights Civic Association - see image

3. Chocolate City Beer

What other local shirts have you seen around? I know Pleasant Pops and the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace sell them. My personal favorite is my Wonderland's 5th Anniversary Sundress Party tee.

DC National Night Out is tonight

You may have seen the signs around DCUSA, but tonight is National Night Out. Target is sponsoring a Community Block Party at the Columbia Heights Education Center Soccer Field (on Hiatt Pl by the DCUSA parking lot entrance). From 5-8 pm there will be There will be food and refreshments. Also presentations will be made by the Washington Area Bicyclists Association on securing your bicycle and by the Home Depot on securing your home.

For more info, visit MPD's listing of all DC events.