Artfully Chocolate Let Me Down

Friday night must have been an off night for ACKC. I've been all over that place since it opened. I've always gotten prompt, pleasant service at the bar or at the counter without asking, and the goods have always exceeded by expectations.

This past weekend was nothing like our past visits. The lights over the truffle counter were dark, and no one was staffing the area -- or, for that matter, offering to help customers who were browsing the selections. The chocolate/coffee bar was busy. However, Mr. 14th and You and I sat there for several minutes before our presence was acknowledged. Once we were noticed, we were told brusquely that it was "policy" to order at the cash register. Accordingly, Mr. 14th and You moved eight feet to his left to order. I'm fine with ordering wherever, but I'm not fine with being told to do so impolitely. We were then served with our orders in to-go cups. Normally, I would have thought that a simple mix-up or a case of not enough clean mugs, but the stares that the two barristas leveled at us during our brief stay seemed to indicate a passive hostility toward our very presence. Needless to say, the usual pleasant banter with the staff was completely out of the question.

I also couldn't help but notice that smoothies and blended coffee have come to ACKC. Perhaps it couldn't be helped because the door and mirror behind the bar have been plastered with signs for the Ice Train brand. What an anathema in such a gorgeous space. Anyway, I can't understand why they would serve a pre-fab chemical cocktail when all of the other food and beverages there are very high quality. The Ice Train smoothies I've had around the city (and they are so common at so many delis and cafes), are syrupy sweet. The coffee flavors, though not awful, have the subtly chemical taste of instant brownies or instant pudding.

ACKC can't maintain their elegant high-quality brand and my loyalty if the service stinks and they start lazily dipping into mass-produced beverages.

14U Closed - Reopening Later?

It took us a couple of weeks to notice this, simply because we hadn't walked up that side of 14th St. in awhile, so apologies for the belated news...but the 14U coffee shop located at (where else?) 14th and U St. has closed, with a sign in the door that says they are awaiting "new management" but that the search could "take awhile".

In our opinion, this likely spells the end for the little coffee shop that tried but couldn't. It's also pretty symptomatic of the way the shop was run during its time.

The 14 & Yous wanted very much to like the 14U--it had a very inviting atmosphere, friendly staff, and free wifi. Unfortunately, the quality of their product was spotty, to say the least. Drinks frequently came out mixed poorly (or not at all), and the pastries left a lot to be desired. In a neighborhood surrounded by options, being a place people *want* to patronize simply won't do.

It'd be nice if the 14U comes back under new--and, hopefully, better--management. But while we hate to see any small business close up shop, we're not surprised much to see it go.

Lighting to Unite

Here are some photos taken from Lighting to Unite at the Washington National Cathedral. They were taken with a point-and-shoot and my knee-pod, so the quality is not as high as I would like. Still, the beauty of the images projected onto one of the most stunning gothic cathedrals in the world is amazing. If you have not yet seen the display, your last chance is on Sunday night from sunset to midnight. You can only appreciate in person the richness of the colors and the tricks that they play on perception of depth and detail. The display literally stopped traffic on Wisconsin Avenue.  For information on how and where to take in the views, see my previous post here. 

Dog Owners Rejoice!

This past Wednesday, the ANC 2F commissioners voted unanimously (as usual) to write a letter to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation in support of a proposed dog park. Dog Owners of Greater Shaw is leading the charge to convert a portion of the Shaw Field area at 11th Street, NW and Rhode Island Avenue to a fenced field for dog owners to walk and play with their unleashed pets. You may know Shaw Field as the park with the skateboarding area located at the crazy intersection of Q, 11th, and Rhode Island. The recreation field, usually used for soccer, extends north along 11th Street. To create the dedicated dog area, Dog Owners suggests that the soccer pitch be relocated along the eastern side of the skateboard section and that the current soccer pitch and adjacent field be reserved for four-legged creatures and their human friends.


Dog lovers, whether owners or not, can sign an online petition to support the proposed park. You must, however, live within a 10-block radius of the site to sign the petition. Cheaters are weeded out daily by address. Already, hundreds of Shlogan residents have signed. Not only does Dog Owners of Greater Shaw have the support obr/f the community and our ANC commissioners, but Lt. Mike Smith has also written a letter in support of the dog park application. Reasons for residents, both dog owners and non dog owners, to support the park include the following:

Increased resident usage of Shaw Field would deter crime.

Dog parks create social pressure for owners to consistently pick up pet waste. The park also localizes waste, reducing sanitation problems along our sidewalks.

Both dogs and their owners are more physically and mentally healthy when they have a place to play together. Happy and healthy dogs are less likely to be nuisances to their neighbors.

(This list is partially taken from Lt. Smith's letter.)

For the record, I do not own a dog. Our one-bedroom apartment won't allow for a pup to bound around. As well, my cat might beat it up, and Mr. 14th & You's cat might have a heart attack. But one day I hope to be responsible enough and to own a large enough home to have my own dog. Until then, I'm happy to live vicariously through the hundreds of dog owners I've seen out in our neighborhood.

About Those Meters . . .

Due to a case of gimpiness that ended in a sprained foot and black and blue toe, I grabbed a taxi today. I totally forgot that this is May 1, Meter Day. Predictably, my driver did not have a meter installed. Then again, my ride took me just over a zone border, and he charged me for only for a one zone trip. When I offered a $20 bill to cover my fare, the driver, who didn't have change, suggested I just give him whatever small bills I had -- a total of $5. I have to admit that under a meter system, a driver would be far less willing to let a passenger escape for any payment under fare. I never thought of that angle. Then again, my ride might have only come to $5 anyway using the new time and distance meters.

Monthly ANC 2F Meeting Is Next Wed.

Come out to the Washington Plaza Hotel on Thomas Circle on Wednesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. for the monthly ANC meeting. If you haven't been, I recommend that you go a few times this year. Once you've attended, you will learn so much about city offices and who can help you with what. You can speak directly to a DDOT representative, talk to Lt. Smith for more crime information or to express your concerns, and communicate to your commissioner about persistent problems in your area -- from nuisance property to noisy bars. Once you know how things work, you'll be in a great position if you ever have need the help of the DC government to address your needs.

Also of note: two commissioner seats will be coming open soon. Jerome Sikorski, elected on this past year and Jim Richardson are resigning. Go to the the ANC 2F website to see if you fall within their single member districts.

The following is this month's agenda:

*COMMUNITY FORUM*

7:00 Call to Order

7:00 Commissioner Announcements

7:10 PSA 307 Report - Lt. Mike Smith, Metropolitan Police Department, 3D

7:15 Report from Executive Office of the Mayor–Abby Petersen

7:18 DDOT Report - Christopher Ziemann, Ward 2 Transportation Planner

7:25 DDOT Urban Forestry Administration- Liz Tylander

7:30 Community Announcements

- 10 Minute Recess -

*BUSINESS MEETING*

7:45 Approval of Agenda

7:45 Approval of Minutes of Meeting of April 2, 2008

Resignations of Jim Richardson and Jerome Sikorski and election of
interim Treasurer and Secretary

7:50 Crime and Public Safety Matters
ANC2F Crime and Public Safety Committee Report (Helen Kramer, Chair)

8:35 ABRA Matters
CulinAerie Stipulated license –Susan Holt
Renewal Notice LHO Tom Joad Circle- 1155 14th St, NW CH02 #74461
Dates: Posting April 11, Petition May 27, Hearing June 11 @10:00 AM

8:40 Community Development Committee Matters
Public Space Permit for Outside Seating at the ACKC Cocoa Bar, 1529
14th Street
Public Space Permit for Outside Seating at Park 920 14th Street, NW
Report on 14th Streetscape Project (Brian Vargas)
http://www.14thstreetstudy.com/reports.asp

9:00 New Business
Dog park application- George Kassouf
Public Space Permit, 1408 Rhode Island Ave, NW.

9:10 Treasurer's Report
Approval of Expenditures

9:15 Adjournment

Two Very Cool Events

On May 9-11th (Mother's Day weekend), the Washington National Cathedral will be putting on a light show of sorts. From sunset to midnight each evening, various complex geometric images will be projected onto the west and south facades (facing Wisconsin Avenue, NW and the St. Albans school respectively). These projections are the first display in the United States of Swiss lighting designer Gerry Hofstetter's art. The mock-up images of the show are amazing; check one out at http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/ltu/index.html. If you can't make it to the grounds of the Cathedral, the images will be viewable from many points in the city and Virginia -- the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Lady Bird Johnson Park, 14th Street Bridge, and the Roosevelt Bridge, to name a few. However, if you travel to the Cathedral close on Saturday, you can enjoy live music, drinks, and snacks.

Coming up this Friday and Saturday at the Cathedral is the annual Flower Mart, a food, craft, and plant fair. There's no particular religious reason for the event; it's just a chance for the All Hollows Guild volunteer garden and groundskeepers to raise money. It's a great place to snatch up Mother's Day gifts such as purses and jewelry. The food is fabulous from fresh-baked goods to chocolate strawberries and Rocklands barbecue. For entertainment, there's live music throughout the day, climbs to the top of the Cathedral bell tower, and themed tours. Also worth checking out are gorgeous cut flower arrangements in the bays along the side aisles in the nave.

The Cathedral is most accessible by car. Entrances to the parking garage are off of Woodley Road and Wisconsin Avenues. There's also some neighborhood parking available, but the residents will send parking enforcement after you if you stay a minute past the permissible two hours. By Metro, ride to Tenley Town on the Red Line and either walk or take one of the frequent buses on the 30 lines south down Wisconsin Avenue. There are also some bus lines along Massachusetts Avenue that will take you from Dupont Circle to the Cathedral.

Bacchanalia

This is a reminder that tomorrow night Modern Liquors at 1200 9th Street NW (Mount Vernon Square Metro stop) will be hosting its weekly wine and cheese tasting. As an added bonus, fresh-baked bread from Divine Cravings will also be served. Boutique Vineyards wines uncorked tomorrow will be:

• Raoul’s Willow Tree White
• Raoul’s Old Basket Red
• DeMeye Steel Chard
• DeMeye Little River Cab/Shiraz
• Hillcrest Sauvignon Blanc

Many local businesses now feature regular wine tastings. If the fruit of the vine is your thing, try these free events:

• Tastings at Bell's Wine & Spirits (2000 1800 block of M Street, NW, Farragut North Metro stop). Join the mailing list at their website to stay on top of the myriad monthly tastings, lectures, and dinners. This month they are featuring Spanish wines.
• Cork at 1720 14th Street (U Street/Cardozo Metro stop), NW hosts periodic tastings. Sign up for the newsletter on their website or view their events web page here.
• Best Cellars at 1643 Connecticut Avenue, NW (Dupont Metro stop, north exit) holds tastings periodically. I would give you the schedule if they would post it on their website. Walk by on a warm evening on your way to/from Dupont and, if you're lucky, they'll be pouring.

There are a number of wine bars where you can get flights (several small pours of wines to taste). A few to try:

• Bardeo (3311 Connecticut Avenue, NW at the Cleveland Park Metro stop)
• Veritas (2031 Florida Avenue, NW on the northwest corner of Connecticut and Florida, Dupont Metro stop, north exit)
• Vinoteca (1940 11th Street, NW at the corner of 11th and U Streets, U Street/Cardozo Metro stop)

For a very fun wine tasing experience, try a country's native varietals at their embassy. The International Club of DC holds wine-related events several times during the year. Wine-themed evenings this past winter included a wine and food tasting at the Austrian Embassy as well as a Valentine's Day party with open bar at the French Embassy. Get on the mailing list to be alerted to the next events.

If you will be drinking — even a little bit — please consider using the Metro stops above to travel to your destination. While you're at it, encourage your friends to do the same, especially if they would otherwise be getting on the road to Maryland or Virginia.

Lots of Police Activity

Mr. 14th & You and I were driving from Capitol Hill to Logan last night between 9:15 and 9:45 and we happened to spot several police cruisers along the way. We saw three cruisers at the Shaw Metro and another two as we traveled up R Street. They weren't responding to any events as we drove by; they were just parked at various cross streets along R. Like the crime cameras, I'm never sure if I should be thankful for their watchful eyes or concerned about the neighborhood factors that led to their presence. Unless there was some sort of incident before we got back into town last night, I'm guessing that police are increasing patrols in various areas in response to the violence over this past weekend.

We've gotten a few questions about the sound of shots fired in our alley. Neither the Dupont Current nor the Washington Post have published recent enough statistics for us to follow up. Crimereports.com does not appear to have any information posted either. (Though there would need to be a reported crime, not just a police call, in order for them to plot it on the map.) We do anticipate seeing Lt. Smith at the next ANC meeting (Wed., May 7) and we plan to ask him about the incident then.

In cheerier news, the Express recommended our blog as a good DC neighborhood-centric read. Check out the blurb posted on Friday. Mr. and Mrs. 14th & You are given credit for our "candid" coverage of neighborhood events even if we don't paint a "rosy picture" all the time. Now I have blogger guilt about the recent lower volume of posts. In our defense, I worked 52 hours last week, and Mr. 14th and You didn't fare much better. We hope to have more time in the near future for exploring our area and writing about it.

WASA Hearings

WASA will be holding public hearings on the replacement of lead service lines. Earlier this year, the DC Council held hearings to address the findings of a VA Tech scientist who found that lead levels in our water spiked in areas where service lines had recently been replaced. I believe that the spikes are due to particles of lead breaking off from solder and old pipes during the replacement process. WASA now thinks that the switch from chlorine to chloramine to purify DC's water has been sufficient to hold down levels of the toxic metal delivered to most households in DC.

Since the 2004 discovery of lead levels in DC water that exceed EPA standards, WASA reports that the level of contamination has dropped. Though the amount of soluble lead in our water has been reduced, the Acting Executive Director of Alliance for healthy homes wrote in to the Washington Post recently to express her concerns about WASA's testing methods. She claims that though levels of soluble lead have decreased, levels of led particles in our drinking water have increased. She also believes that WASA's methods of testing do not reveal accurate lead levels because they do not take into account tap water that has been running for several minutes. (However, when my building was tested, the samples included both flushed and unflushed tap water.) From what limited information I've read, it's unclear whether we have a lead problem or a WASA public trust problem. Jim Graham may have a good idea in calling for independent testing of our water; results from independent researchers are more trustworthy. Another issue secondary to today's contamination is that neither our elected representatives nor WASA have addressed the issue of whether long term lead levels would be best addressed by leaving things as they are or by replacement of the service lines. Years from now will the solder and pipes degrade even more?

Still, the WASA website reports plans to replace service lines throughout 2009. This year's replacements in ANC 2F are:

1100-1299 blocks of O Street, NW
1500 block of Vermont Ave., NW

Several other replacements in our area were completed in 2007.For a complete list of currently-scheduled replacement locations, go to http://www.dcwasa.com/lead/scheduled_replacements.cfm#06completed.


If you have a particular concern about the service line replacement program, consider attending or testifying at the hearing on Thursday, May 1. Contact lmanley{at}dcwasa{dot}com or call (202) 787-2330 before 5 p.m. next Tuesday to arrange to testify.

Shots Fired in Alley Between R and Corcoran?

I don't know if anyone else heard this, but around 10:40 this evening there were two distinct gun shots which seemed to emanate from the alley between R St. and Corcoran, on the 1300 block.  I was sitting in our living room when I heard the shots; I immediately called 311, and a cruiser was dispatched and arrived on our block within only a couple minutes time.

I spoke briefly to the officer to tell him what I had heard and proceeded to pull back into the alley where he encountered a man hanging around by the dumpsters behind the Anna Cooper House.  As I left, the officer was questioning the man.

It's disappointing--and frightening--that shots would be fired seemingly directly behind our home.  It is encouraging, however, to see the quick response from the MPD to the call.  If nothing else, it's apparent that a call of shots fired gets them out here quickly.

ACKC Bringing Sidewalk Cafe to 14th St.?

Everyone's favorite purveyors of awesome hot chocolate beverages (and some darn good chocolate bars--has anyone tried the chocolate bacon bar?  Yummmmm...)  According to the agenda of tomorrow night's CDC meeting, the owners of ACKC are making plans to have some sidewalk seating in front of their store near 14th and Q.  This is great news for anyone who a) enjoys the sludgy, thick French-style hot cocoa that ACKC serves, and b) who have thought that it would be great if it could be enjoyed outdoors during the warmer months.

Want to learn more?  Stop by the CDC meeting tomorrow night.

http://www.anc2f.org/blogs/_2f06

Neighborhood Businesses I Like

One of the elements of city life that Mr 14th & You and I like are the locally-owned businesses. It's not that we're particularly anti-chain or anti-corporate nuts, we just like getting to know people and the advantage of having an interesting streetscape rather than strip mall homogeneity. In that vein, I have to recommend George's shoe repair on the northwest corner of 13th and U, J.C. Loftons tailoring on the north side of the 1000 block of U, and Mimosa Day Spa at Connecticut and R.

I went to George's upon the recommendation of a complete stranger who overheard me talking about my need for shoe repair. George's shop is tiny and no-frills, but he does a great job. No only are my new soles and heels holding up, he polished my shoes to near perfection despite my subjecting them to months of DC sidewalk punishment. Kindly, he didn't admonish me for the condition of my shoes either. Turn-around is fast, and George will give you advice, such as recommending heel plates to even sole wear.

Some of you may remember J.C. Lofton's from it's previous location on 14th St. The tailor shop has been relocated to the second floor of a small building on U Street. If you don't look for the sandwich board, you won't know to enter through the shoe repair shop and go upstairs. Alterations start around $15 for hemming, and the turn-around time has been about four business days whenever I've dropped clothes off. He'll custom tailor women's pants for $125 and up, depending on fabric, and he'll do women's suits for between $300 and 400. Unfortunately for you gents, men's suits run considerably higher. Most importantly, Lofton's stays open until 7 and keeps Saturday hours for those of you who can't attend to your wardrobe during work hours.

Mimosa Day spa sounded to my ear like a cheesy hair and nail salon. Yet, desperately needing someone to fix a few broken nails and ragged cuticles, I stopped in there one evening on the way home from work. I can say that they have given me the best inexpensive manicures I have ever had, and I keep going back. The polish is very carefully applied and re-checked; my skin and cuticles are always unstained no matter how dark the color. The ladies there will not allow you to smudge your polish on the way out either. After resting my hands under a heated fan, I was sprayed with a moisturizing drying spray and returned to the fan before being treated to cuticle oil a couple of minutes later. I was then helped into my coat and my purse was placed on my shoulder for me. What I really enjoy, however, is the extended hand massage complete with hot towel. You can find the somewhat hidden entrance to the second floor salon next to Secondi. Look for their shingle on the sidewalk next to the perpetually propped open door.

Speaking of neighborhood businesses, I walked by AYT at 14th and R this morning and saw a bunch of cute furniture in the window. Have I been checked out or is this a spanking new storefront?

An update on the last post: In response to commenter, lynne, I wrote a bunch about our Mac experience. If anyone wants more information, feel free to email me at 14thandyou{at}gmail{dot}com. I've now used both PCs and Macs for work and PCs and Macs at home. I'm also the world's most uptight comparison shopper if you want my notes .

If I had $100...

So, last week, I was going to hail a cab to head down to Union Station because I had to be in Baltimore that morning. I walk up to 14th St., and hail the first cab I see.

When I opened the door and got into the backseat, I noticed a dollar bill lying on the floor of the cab. I didn't think much of it at first, until I picked it up and realized it was a $100 bill. I think if you added up every cent of found money I've collected over my life, it wouldn't add up to $100.

Now, I know that $100 doesn't get you what it used to, but still...I was pretty darned excited. (And for all you do-gooders out there, you'll just have to take me at myword when I say that had there been any way to track down the owner of the cash, I would have tried. But I didn't feel like leaving my cab driver a $100 tip, so...into my pocket it went.) But now I am faced with a quandry: what do I do with my found money?

Should I donate it to a local charity, who undoubtedly could use the money more than Mr. and Mrs. 14thandYou do? Should I attempt to pick up a pair of Caps playoff tickets? Should I go purchase 6 burgers at Marvin? Should I invest it so that I can show my grandkids 50 years from now the time value of money?

So many options...so I'm throwing the question out there: what should I do with my newfound wealth? Give us your ideas (via comments), and we'll pick the most creative suggestion and actually do it--and provide photographic evidence. Nothing illegal, please--so no suggestions about how I should place a call to the D.C. Madame. ($100 wouldn't even buy me 30 seconds with Elliot's callgirl, so what's the point?)

Technology Update

Thanks to the many thoughtful responses to my question from a couple of weeks ago about our computer situation. We are proud to report back that we are now the proud owners of a new MacBook, and aside from the fact that some of our old PC documents are now unopenable, we are loving it. Next up: the purchase of a new digital TV, to replace the current rabbit ears set with the broken picture tube....

What to do with your hazardous waste

What to do with all of collection event on Saturday, April 26. This is a great way to get rid of the kind of stuff--cleaning supplies, old batteries, insecticide, etc.--a lot of people hold onto simply because you can't really throw it out. (Well, OK, you CAN...but that's a particularly nasty thing to do.) Also, you can bring your old computer and other electtronic equipment for disposal. Pretty much anything short of radioactive waste is fair game 9and I'm not certain I want to know who is keeping radioactive waste around their home.)

Details are below--courtesy of Mike Bernardo's blog.

The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold its annual spring Household Hazardous Waste and E-Cycling collection event Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 9 am to 3 pm at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre parking lot at 16th and Kennedy Streets, NW. This drop-off service is free and open to all District residents.

DC residents can bring items including leftover cleaning and gardening chemicals, small quantities of gasoline, pesticides and poisons, mercury thermometers, paint, solvents, spent batteries of all kinds, antifreeze, chemistry sets, automotive fluids, and even asbestos floor tiles to the collection site for environmentally safe disposal.

Additionally, an electronics recycler will be onsite to take end-of-life consumer electronics including computers, computer monitors and other accessories, televisions, and office equipment. These machines will be broken down into their component parts (plastic, glass, toxic/heavy metals) and recycled or disposed of safely.

To help protect against identity theft, computers and hard drives brought to the event will be wiped clean three times using US Department of Defense high-level security wiping procedures.

Items that will NOT be accepted during the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Collection include ammunition, bulk trash, wooden TV consoles, propane tanks, microwave ovens, air conditioners and other appliances, as well as radioactive or medical wastes.

Learn more information about household hazardous waste and e-cycling by visiting DPW's website at www.dpw.dc.gov or by dialing 311.