Target to get fruits and veggies

Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham had a surprise on the Columbia Heights listserv today -- the DCUSA Target is getting a produce section. He writes:

We have also been informed that Target will open some 100 positions in the near future. Target is opening a full grocery store in July and extra staff is required.

It's actually opening in the fall reports the Washington City Paper:

… Target is planning to expand its current dry goods section to include more grocery-type items, including produce–a critical factor making it a viable alternative to Giant's weekend lines. The remodeling will start any day now and finish sometime in October, taking out some abutting retail sections.

So with the expanding groceries selection at Target, the CH Farmers' Market, and the eventual opening of Ellwood Thompson's, maybe now we can stop complaining about Giant?

Meridian Pint Opens Thursday!

Long awaited and table tap enabled Meridian Pint is set to open
Thursday.

It's looking great and has an awesome vegetarian and vegan friendly
menu.

Movie Nights in the Heights Premiers Tonight

So it's really hot out. But you know what? You chose to live in DC. So
get over it and get on over to Movie Nights in the Heights!

The Columbia Heights Day Initiative will be showing Men in Black at
8:30PM at Tubman Field on 11th and Kenyon. Starting at 8PM there will
be DJ entertainment.

You know what else? Men in Black was good. The sequel was not, but
that's why they aren't showing the sequel. So THL suggest you check it
out.

Columbia Heights Day June Events

The Columbia Heights Day Initiative has a lot more going on this summer than the awesome festival with the camel and cupcakes.

Coming up this month...

Thursday, June 17 - Fundraiser at the Wonderland. Drink specials with the purchase of an awesome Columbia Heights Day cup.
Thursday, June 24 - Movie Nights in the Heights premiers at Tubman field with a Men in Black showing. 

First Impression: Columbia Heights Farmers Market

The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace opened this morning to overcast skies but luckily no rain. I stopped by during my morning coffee run and was pleasantly surprised with the open set-up on the Civic Plaza, as well as the nice mix of growers and producers.

Price-wise, fruit and veggies were comparable to other farmers' markets I frequent, but I did find that lettuces were 50 cents to a dollar cheaper here than other neighborhood markets.

The Marketplace has a full list of vendors on its website, but here is a rundown of my favorites:

• Dolcezza Gelato - yummy gelato and sorbet from the Georgetown and now Dupont gelato shop
• Stachowski Brand Charcuterie - delicious artisan sausages and meats
• Upper Crust Bakery - I am enjoying a scone from them right now
• Twin Post Farm, LLC - farm fresh chicken eggs, and come September, duck eggs

Can you use the CH Community Marketplace as your one weekly farmers' market visit? Perhaps. But I think my ideal Saturday morning will now be visits to both the Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights farmers' markets. You can get all the local fruit, veggies, cheeses, and breads you need. Plus even some gelato for dessert.

"These are not the hipsters you are looking for." **

Oh, the things you find on craigslist. This one is for an indie, hipster, robot movie. (The next great film genre, of course.)

DROIDSTER is a action/drama short set in Columbia Heights, DC. Robot hipsters are operating out of basements in the neighborhood, abducting unsuspecting preppies and turning their insides into oily mechanics. These aren't your father's evil robots, however -- they ride fixed gear bikes, wear skinny jeans, jeggings, christmas socks, and big sunglasses. They also suck at life.

** We are accepting other robot puns in the comments below.

Ellwood Thompson's set for January 2011 and IHOP to be 24 hours

Lots of news coming out of yesterday's North Columbia Heights Community Association meeting. The Washington City Paper reports that Ellwood Thompson's will open at DCUSA in January. Writes The Housing Complex blog:

Ellwood Thompson's, the elusive organic grocer that's had a sign in a window on Irving Street off 14th for at least a year now–having put plans on ice last April–is in final lease negotiations and expects to begin construction in July and finally open in January 2011, according to a company spokesman.

It's the second location for the Richmond, Virginia-based store. According to Chief Financial Officer Jack McGrath, food prices will be comparable with Whole Foods, and they'll also have in-store dining. "I like to say we're building a restaurant that sells groceries, rather than a grocery store that sells prepared food," he said at a meeting of the North Columbia Heights Community Association this evening.

We have heard quite a number of possible opening dates for the store numerous times over the past few years, but maybe the appearance of its CFO makes it a little more official this time around. The City Paper also shares the news that the on-its-way IHOP will be open 24 hours. Who wants pancakes at 3 am!

It's great to see more additions to DCUSA and perhaps the new retail leasing signage will bring about some more local and national businesses to the space. A flyer on the the Cushman & Wakefield website reveals a lot more details on the available space. IHOP will be on the second floor, utilizing a new entrance that will be accessible from Irving Street.

So the ever on-going question for Columbia Heights, what would you like to see at DCUSA?

Details on new 11th Street Development Project

The Washington Business Journal reports today that renovation has started on the corner building at 11th and Monroe streets. Located across the street from Columbia Heights Coffee, the building has been vacant for several years. The new developers plan on converting it into condos and retail space.

Madison Investments has bought a blighted apartment building in Columbia Heights for $3.2 million through a bankruptcy trustee sale. The 36,000-square-foot vacant building at 1020 Monroe Street NW encountered a string of lawsuits and has been sitting in Chapter 7 bankruptcy for the past year. The D.C.-based development company will renovate the 28-unit building under a condo conversion. The plan is to put retail on the ground floor and install a roof deck for residents.

Read more at Columbia Heights to get more condos or the project's website at Madison Investments.

Celebrate Bike to Work Day Friday in Columbia Heights

This Friday is the annual Bike to Work Day, organized by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Commuter Connections. There is a morning rally downtown at Freedom Plaza, among other locations throughout the area. But did you know there is also an evening rally in Columbia Heights?

Join other cyclists on the Columbia Heights Plaza from 4 - 7 pm for the inaugural "Bike From Work" rally. Weather is looking great for this year, too. High of 88 and low of 66.

Two neighborhood fundraisers set for this week

Both the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace and Columbia Heights Day Initiative will be hosting events this week to raise funds and visibility for their organizations.

Tonight, The Heights will be donating 10 % of all food and drink sales to the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace from 4 pm - close. For more information visit www.columbiaheightscommunitymarketplace.org/.

On Thursday, Columbia Heights Day will be hosting a luau fundraiser at The Looking Glass Lounge from 7 - 11 pm. There will be drink specials and even a limbo contest. More info on Columbia Heights Day on Facebook.

More info on the IHOP news

The Washington City Paper's Housing Complex blog is reporting that IHOP is coming to Columbia Heights this August. No word yet on exact location (whether it's DC USA or Highland Park) or the operation hours. Full story here - http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2010/05/14/ihop-coming-to-columbia-heights-in-august/

Ever Want to Front a Band?

If you were at the Wonderland's epic Sundress Fest 2010, you might have heard some good music with bad vocals wafting out of the upstairs.

That's because there was live band karaoke.

If you've ever wanted to front a band and say... sing Madonna but like Morrissey... this is your chance! Because starting TOMORROW (Tuesday) Wonderland is hosting a weekly live band karaoke night. It's like... 7 to 10PM or something, every Tuesday, starting now.

Meridian Pint previews its menu

We are just a few weeks away from the opening of Meridian Pint, the new restaurant and bar at the corner of 11th and Park. I was checking out its website this afternoon and lo' and behold -- the complete food and drink menu is now available at www.meridianpint.com.

Featured food items include a NY strip steak, pork chops, and roasted chicken, but the real surprises are the in fuller menu. There are a number of vegetarian and vegan options across all courses on the menu. Here is a rundown:

• three soups, $7 each
• three salads, $9 - $12
• hefty assortment of appetizers, $5 - $10
• ten entrees, $15-$18
• sandwiches (finally someone is serving chicken salad in CH), $10 - $12
• Brunch includes the usual plus entrees, $6 - $16

Meridian Pint also touts 25 beers, plus two casks, $4 - $8.

Sundress Party Photo Galleries

Missed the Wonderland's annual Sundress Fest on Sunday? Or want a reminder of how much you really did drink? Check out these photo galleries to see if your where at your sartorial sunny best:

• Ben Droz for Brightest Young Things - http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/photo-posts/photos-sundress-party-wonderland
• Raul Umanzor for Metromix - http://dc.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/essay_photo_gallery/sundress-fest-2010/1922154/content
• Dallas Lillich shared some of his photos on POP - http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2010/05/wonderlands-sundress-fest-2010/
• foramenglow on flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mukulr/sets/72157623984739222/