Don't Miss the Bus! New Northbound Stop

See that sign in the middle of this blurry picture? That's the bus stop on 14th and Irving going North. Because of upcoming 14th Street construction, it lives in front of CVS now instead of in front of the Metro.

Venture Down 14th Street for Sales this Weekend

Yes, this is all happening about 15 blocks south of Columbia Heights but it feels like home since 14th street is part of my daily commute ...

We already know it's going to be hazy, hot, and humid this weekend, so it's perfect weather for the annual Dog Days sidewalk sale along the 14th Street corridor, August 1-2. For 10 years, the MidCity Business Association has organized this sidewalk super sale, but it's more than just finding great deals, there are some pretty cool cultural and community events, too.

The Studio Theatre is holding its Annual Garage Sale on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Hundreds of items from this past season are for sale, including clothing, furniture, and home accessories. Also on Saturday, Washington Improv Theatre is holding its IMPROV-A-PALOOZA 2009. It begins at 2 pm and features 10 straight hours of improvisational comedy presented as individual 10 minute acts. And on Sunday don't miss Words Beats & Life Inc: DJ Workshop at Source Theatre's open house.

Here's a sampling of Dog Days deals from some of my favorite places:

• Cakelove (1506 U Street)- Buy 3 cupcakes get 1 free
• Nana (1528 U Street)- all clearance items are 50-80% off the original price
• Ruff and Ready Furnishings (1908 14th Street)- 25% off EVERYTHING, 50% off all items priced $127 or under. 75% off all basement items.
• Cork (1720 14th Street) and Cork Market (1805 14th Street) - A lemonade stand in front of the new space for Cork Market and Cork restaurant will open early
• Miss Pixies (1626 14th Street) - 20% off all items throughout the store plus free cookies!
• Redeem (1734 14th Street)- Take 25% off all summer merchandise, including an additional 25% off already marked down items.

More information is available here. And be sure you download your "Dog Days Bingo" card to win free gifts.

Social Opens August 17

No time to write up my own take on this, but here's the latest on Social from their own press release. Opening on August 17. I also saw that Thaitanic II has a real sign up.

SOCIAL OPENING IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN AUGUST.  Columbia Heights, the hottest residential neighborhood in the District, will welcome the anticipated restaurant Social on August 17th. Situated on the southwest corner of 14th Street and Meridian Place NW, Social is just four blocks north of the Columbia Heights Metro making it an easily accessible dining and drink locale.

The partners behind Social are eager to unveil their gem, which is reminiscent of a comfortable District residence with dark-espresso leather couches and high-back dining room chairs. The main dining room, familiarly called the Family Room, is accented with textured plaster walls, rich wood floors and wine inspired carpet. Photography from Jonathan Zuck, a family photo wall, and classic artwork ornament the venue. After dinner, guests can enjoy a cocktail seated at the bar or lounging on an ottoman in the Cellar. The furnishings, from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, create a relaxed and open space in the two combined former row-homes, while vast windows overlook the bustling 14th Street Corridor.
 
Complimenting the innovative design concept, Social will provide a fresh dining experience. The plates are as interesting and diverse as the beverage selection. The Shareable menu items such as the Poke Stack, an Ahi tuna sashimi dish, or the Baby Lamb Lollipops topped with cilantro pecan pesto are available in Intimate, Social, or Gala micro-dining sizes, allowing any size party to mix and match menu items to their taste. If sharing is not your forte, European-style Pan Roasted Crispy Chicken and other items on the Self Indulgence menu provide a tasty individual experience. To create an unrushed and comfortable environment, Social does not take reservations and does not require you commit to your whole meal in one order. 

"We take the beverage approach to dining," according to owner AJ Guy, "When you go out for drinks you never order them all at once. In the same way, our menu is designed to be leisurely perused by our guests."

Partners AJ Guy, Scott Hammons and Tim Korzep have a history with headline hospitality projects.  Their combined experience in operations and development includes Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Houston's Restaurants, and the Ian Schrager Company, providing the team with a wealth of hospitality knowledge. Urban hikes, exploring unsung neighborhoods of the District, inspired the owners and in the end Columbia Heights proved the perfect canvas for a neighborhood destination. Unique dining and entertainment should not be exclusive to Georgetown or Downtown.  Social will create an unrivaled experience that is a most welcome addition to the burgeoning foodie scene in Washington, D.C.

Social will be open seven nights a week and soon on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch.

Pete's: It's the little things

I am blogging about a brown bag. Yeah, I know - that's weird. But I went to get some food to go at Pete's Apizza tonight and felt inspired to write about how they get the little things right.

They have new to go bags - thin paper with a handle. Easy to carry, probably eco-friendly.

The lovely young woman behind the counter also offered me some water while I waited, noticing that I hadn't ordered a drink.

And the non-pizza food, the food that probably matters less like the soup and antipasta, it's delicious. I had the antipasta and soup tonight. If you haven't tried the soup there, it's almost always excellent. And they have new bread to go with it, also excellent.

I almost wish Pete's got more wrong so I would spend less money and eat at home more often.

Nice Forecast DC...

You have to love a week's worth of lighting bolts. Oh DC, oh summer.

Mayor Fenty CH Small Business Pow Wow

Mayor Fenty is coming to La Cabana Restaurant tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3614 14th Street to talk about small business concerns along with a herd of DC city department reps.

According to the media advisory, the agenda includes "intoxicated vagrants, prostitution, illegal gambling, violent assaults and loitering. Small business assistance will also be a topic of discussion focusing on permitting issues, street parking and beautification such as façade improvements."

It starts at 6PM. The Heights Life can't make it, but if you do - let us know what the Mayor says: theheightslife@gmail.com.

And the building goes on

Just because it was the weekend, that doesn't mean construction stopped in the neighborhood. At 11th Street and Park Road, 3DG's office complex / future home of Meridian Pint is no longer a hole in the ground. It is amazing to see finally something occupy the old Bi-Rite supermarket space and the new building looks great. And it looks like the 14th Street civic plaza is getting come nifty stonework.

Report from Neighborhood Watch Training

As you may have read here previously, CH is getting a neighborhood watch program. Here's a firsthand account from our friend Fieldsy who attended block captain training:

Monday night, I attended the Columbia Heights Bock Captain precinct captain training at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church with about 30 other CH residents. Organized by NW Columbia Heights Community Association President, Cecilia Jones, the aim of the program is to establish a block by block neighborhood watch program implemented and managed by the block captain (or co-captains, which I would recommend since the program requires a lot of organizing and responsibility). Cecilia stated that "Today, marks the end of street violence in Columbia Heights." With the shootings and stabbings over the past several months as well as auto and property related crimes--it is certainly an ambitious and much needed effort to bring the community together in order to reduce crime. Inspector Jacob Kishter as well as two DCPD officers who patrol the neighborhood and Tivoli North Business Association President Hector Gomez and 2 ANC commissioners were in attendance. While it was great to see community leaders in attendance, I was disappointed in the small turn out from residents.

The training was conducted by a woman who has implemented the program in her Chevy Chase neighborhood. That fact drew a comment by a fellow participant of whether she could understand the major obstacles we face in Columbia Heights to apply this program because of the different demographics and types of crime we face here. I, too, will admit that I have my reservations of whether this program can work. First, the block captain is responsible for gathering information about all their neighbors - like phone numbers, number of inhabitants, if anyone in the house has disabilities - and after compiling contact information about residents, organize a block meeting to discuss concerns about the block. Once the meeting is held the block captain leads the charge to forward crime alerts and crime reduction techniques. Basically, it's connecting an information network in the neighborhood so that neighbors are aware of what is going on and what steps to take to reduce crime.

Sounds easy enough, but with DC being such a transient and career driven city, it seems it will take some time to not only organize your block but also get buy-in from neighbors. With that said -I do think it has great potential to bring the neighborhood residents closer together and increase personal investment in our community since it is the model is very community organizing driven. We cannot only depend on our community leaders or elected officials to curb the problems facing our neighborhood, each of us must be actively involved to solve the problems. I have lived in and out Columbia Heights for the last 6 years (leaving only to work on political campaigns) and have only recently taken the time to get to really know my ANC commissioner, introduce myself to the majority of neighbors and get involved in neighborhood issues despite my love for The Heights.

The training itself was very weak, but the more I have though about it, the more I am warming up to the idea. It is going to take massive outreach to get captains on each block, but if we all come together this program could take off. I certainly plan to try to use this opportunity to get to know my neighbors better, hopefully implement a yearly block party, and show other neighborhoods why The Heights is the best place in the city.

Sunday Night Columbia Heights Fare

Two excellent events this Sunday night happening in CH.

First, Bloombars is hosting "Seed of Sound" once again, this time with a magician and two musicians. 7:30PM, just up 11th from Kenyon.

And second, Commonwealth Pub Quiz is back and getting bigger. It was a good fight last week when Werewolf Bar Mitzvah took the top prize. 5 rounds of trivia. Starts at 7PM.

When Tools Attack: Wonderland Edition

Oh Wonderland, so blissful on a lazy Saturday afternoon or Sunday night. So friendly during the sundress party. So Columbia Heights on some days... and then there's Friday and Saturday nights.

And this Friday night, the tools attacked. Apparently a party bus rolled up outside, the kiddies (interns?) poured out, and then there was the dreaded line.

Witnessed...

Tool: Dude, they are from California and some of us are already inside, can't you just let them in.
Wonderland Bartender: Everyone is from California, the line is back there.
Tool: Come on bro, help me out.
Wonderland Bartender: Sorry.

Overheard...

Girl: This line is full of Nebraskans! I bet they haven't seen a Nebraska ID before!

Right... because here in DC nobody is from anywhere else like you. You must be special.

Proposed idea for next ANC meeting: Banning party buses from 11th Street? Where are you William Jordan? You'll love that idea!

Countdown to Columbia Heights Day

Today you can dine at local restaurants in support of Columbia Heights Day, but what really is happening at our annual neighborhood celebration next month? It took some searching on its novice website, but I found what is supposed to be a press release (or welcome letter, event overview?). What ever it is, it looks like organizers have stepped it up this year. Here's what you can look forward to on August 29:

10am - free yoga class from Quiet Mind Yoga

11 am - free performances by Flex Mathews (Best Local Hip-Hop Artist of 2009) and the Crimestoppers, Bonjour Ganesh, Clube do Samba, and more on the mainstage

New for this year - play some Guitar Hero courtesy of Best Buy, and see who gets crowned Mr. and Miss Columbia Heights Day at the dog show (for reals). There's even going to be an afterparty! (My guess, dancing upstairs at the Wonderland.)

Check out www.columbiaheightsday.org for more info.

Room 11: Throwing the Doors Open on August 10

Going Out Gurus over at Washington Post say August 10 is the day for Room 11 to throw the doors open.

Also of note, 20 seats inside, 28 on the patio. Can I bring my own chair?

Read the Going Out Gurus info here.

Columbia Heights Parking Program

I don't have a car, so I don't really understand this WTOP item on a parking pilot program in Columbia Heights.

But, apparently the city is trying to make it costlier to park on the street so that people will seek off-street parking. It's a "performance parking" system that charges you for your occupancy. I guess it's like an even meaner meter? Is that what it is?

Anyhow, there is a meeting about this tonight. I imagine many of you are now annoyed and/or outright angry.

A public meeting on the Columbia Heights pilot program is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Kelsey Temple Church of God at 1435 Park Road, NW.

For more information about the meeting, please contact Damon Harvey at 202-671-0493.

Health Care Event at Bloombars on Thursday

Tomorrow, Columbia Heights favorite non-profit art space is holding a "Health Care Happy Hour."

Stop by Bloombars (3222 11th Street, just up from the Wonderland) from 6PM - 9PM for a screening of Michael Moore's move Sicko, followed by a discussion on the issues presented.

Don't get confused though - just because it's a "happy hour" at a place with "bar" in its name doesn't mean there is booze available. Bloombars is alcohol free and will be serving up "healthy drinks and teas."