Out and About: DC SCORES Annual Inspired Arts Benefit

If you're looking for an opportunity to meet local artists in a fabulous setting while supporting a worthwhile organization, you'll have an opportunity to do just that tomorrow evening.

Wednesday, May 19 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, local after school nonprofit DC SCORES is hosting their annual benefit, the Inspired Art Gala, featuring works by numerous local artists. Artists submitted work for auction that was inspired by the creative writing output of DC SCORES students, as well as pieces that compliment poetry provided by the students. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit DC SCORES.

One artist who is participating is U Street-based Isabelle Spicer, who originally hails from Paris but now spends her days studying at the Torpedo factory and painting urban landscapes, many of them in and around the U Street and Logan area. More information about Ms. Spicer, as well as a portfolio of some of her work, is available here.


In all, more than 50 local artists are participating in the $200-per ticket gala. Additional information about the event can be found here. To learn more about DC SCORES and their unique after-school programs for DC youth, please click here.

New This Summer: the U Street Movie Series

I hope everyone is outside enjoying an absolutely splendid Saturday afternoon--it's hard to believe weather can get much nicer, which is certainly great news for local businesses and the 14th and U farmer's market.

And while we're on the subject of nice weather, this seems like a good time to share news of an exciting, new event in the U Street area this summer: the U Street Movie Series. Once a month this summer, starting in June, movies will be screened for free at the Harrison Recreation Center Field on V Street between 13th and 14th. As an added touch, complimentary popcorn will be provided to the first 100 attendees each night.

The Movie Series is a project by the Friends of Harrison Recreation Center, and is supported by numerous community groups, including the U Street Neighborhood Association, Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association, ANC1B and the Mid-City Business Association.

The first movie--Michael Jackson's "This Is It"--will be shown on Tuesday, June 8. The rest of the season's schedule, included below, all features a music theme, in keeping with U Street's legacy as a center for music in DC.

Donations and sponsorships, all of which will benefit the Friends of Harrison, are encouraged. Additional information can be found at http://movies.ustreet-dc.org.

U Street Movie Series 2010 Schedule:

June 8: Michael Jackson’s This Is It (rain date June 15)
July 13: Buena Vista Social Club (rain date July 20)
August 10: The Soloist (rain date Aug 17)
September 14: Duke Ellington’s Washington and Soul Power (rain date Sept 21)

Tensions Rise in Masa 14 Negotiations at ANC Meeting

Is it a conflict of interest for an ANC commissioner tasked with negotiating a voluntary agreement with an establishment to also be serving as a witness for a group of residents protesting the establishment?

That was one of several issues to arise during a tense ANC1B meeting on Thursday evening at the Reeves Center. The commissioner in question is ANC1B commissioner and Liquor Licenses Committee Chairman Peter Raia, who has been leading negotiations on behalf of the ANC for an expansion of popular 14th Street restaurant Masa 14. Masa is seeking to open a rooftop deck, which has created a not insubstantial amount of concern amongst neighbors concerning the potential for noise emanating from the establishment at late hours.



In his position as Liquor License Committee Chairman, Raia has been tasked with negotiating the revised voluntary agreement with Masa. At Thursday's meeting, fellow ANC1B commission Brianne Nadeau raised the point that Raia, in addition to his ANC position, has also agreed to serve as a witness for a group of residents protesting the expansion. Masa 14 exists within Raia's single member district. 1B Chairperson Anderson Holness pointed out that nothing precludes Raia from serving in both roles, provided it is clear that he is acting only as a resident--and not as an ANC commissioner--when serving as a witness for the group of resident protestants.

Things became increasingly testy when Andrew Kline, the attorney representing Masa in the negotiations, came before the ANC to discuss the status of the negotiations. Kline claimed that he was assured by Raia that Raia would support operating hours of Masa's rooftop deck of 1 AM on weekdays and 2 AM on weekends. Raia claimed no such promise was ever made, to which Kline responded "Are you calling me a liar, Mr. Raia?"

At this point, Chairperson Holness intervened and warned both Kline and Raia against bringing personal disagreements before the ANC. After additional discussions, Raia put forth a motion for the ANC to accept Masa's outdoor operating hours of 11 PM on weekdays and 12 AM on weekends, hours which Kline indicated Masa would find unacceptable. That motion failed.

Commissioner Nadeau followed with a motion of her own, recommending that the ANC accept operating hours of 1 AM on weekdays and 2 AM on weekends; that was later amended to midnight on weekdays and 2 AM on weekends. That motion passed 6-1, with Raia being the only "nay" vote. Kline indicated that this compromise would likely be acceptable, which brings that matter nearer to a close.

The tense discussions highlighted the constant struggle within ANC1B to successfully handle the volume of liquor licenses within the commission's boundaries. Raia has been chairing meetings of the ANC's liquor license committee, which have met with some controversy in the past regarding who can attend, and what kind of business gets conducted there.

In October, Mid-City Business Association Vice President Jean Homza wrote a letter to all ANC1B commissioners regarding the meetings, claiming that she was essentially kicked out of the Committee's October meeting, with Commissioner Raia telling her that "that only residents could participate in the committee." This was in apparent contradiction to the statement on the ANC's website, which stated "members of the community are encouraged to join and participate in the work of this committee."

Homza raised concerns regarding the type of business conducted at the meetings, which included discussions about the "thoughts of the community on our current [liquor] licenses," particularly in light of the fact that the meeting was apparently not open to all members of the community.

Since then, the Committee's meeting times have been posted to the ANC's website, and have been open to all members of the community. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, May 19.

As to the ongoing saga of Masa 14's license, the ANC's vote on Thursday helps bring the matter closer to completion. Still outstanding, however, is the resident protest, of which--as noted above--Raia will be serving as a witness. A hearing on the license is scheduled for June, which will take place should the parties be unable to reach agreement.

LGBT Center Moving Out, JBG Moving In

Via MetroWeekly, it was announced last week that The Center, the organization whose mission is "to celebrate, strengthen, and support community among the LGBT residents and organizations of Metropolitan Washington, DC" will be moving out of their temporary offices on 14th Street in June.

The reason? JBG Cos. is getting ready to demolish the building, located at 1810 14th Street NW, in order to begin work on their much-anticipated project on that block.

The Center entered into a short-term lease agreement with JBG in January, understanding that the move would be temporary. With JBG's announcement last month that they planned to break ground on the project this fall, The Center's time at the location was up.

The location had become a community center of sorts for DC's LGVT community, hosting such organizations as Bet Mishpachah, the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CAGLCC, aka the chamber), the DC Agenda/Washington Blade, the DC Community AIDS Network, Helping our Brothers and Sisters, and the Latino GLBT History Project.

It is not yet known where The Center will relocate. Prior to landing at their current location, they had been renting space at 14th and L.

Sneak Peek: Cork and Fork

A new wine retailer is about to open along 14th Street.

Gainesville, VA-based Cork and Fork, wine merchants who specialize in "some of the finest wines, beers, and cheeses from around the world not available at your local grocery store" will be opening to the public on Saturday, May 8. This evening, they held a soft opening, where we were treated with a tasting of some of the wines they will be carrying (and at least one beer), along with some light hors d'oeuvres.

Co-owner Dominique Landragin will be managing the store which will be located near the corner of 14th and Church streets, next door to the Homemade Pizza Co. In addition to the Gainesville location, Cork and Fork also has an outpost in Bethesda.

Landragin discussed the idea behind the store, which will include a lot of tastings, as well as wine-and-food pairing events that will introduce people to wines they may not be aware of, as well as some hard-to-find beers. (The one they were tasting tonight, a Spanish beer called Estrella, was a lovely, light wheat beer that reminded me a bit of Allagash White.)

While there, I asked Landragin what, to me, seemed to be the obvious question: are there any concerns with being mistaken for the guys a couple of blocks up the street? "Not at all," he said. "People will know that there is a difference between us."

Time will tell, I suppose. The official opening will take place this Saturday. Those wishing to learn more may do so at www.corkandforkva.com.

ANC Meetings Galore: Thaitanic on the Docket, New Restaurants in Shaw

For those of you into this kind of thing, the ANC2F meeting (that would be Logan Circle and environs) is meeting this Wednesday to discuss things like street closures and DDOT projects. But for those of you who frequent a certain Thai place on 14th Street, there is a bit of interesting news for you.

Thaitanic is looking to expand to a second floor and remain open until 2 AM seven days a week. This has caused some, er, concern amongst the neighbors, and the matter comes before the ANC Wednesday, as attempt to work out a voluntary agreement with the establishment.

Those interested in learning more can visit ANC2F's website.

Over at the ANC1B meeting on Thursday evening, they'll be discussing, among other things, two proposed new restaurant/lounges in the Shaw/Howard U. area. One is the proposed Gll Restaurant and Lounge, located at 2632 Georgia Avenue, which is looking to bring an American cuisine-style restaurant with live jazz to Georgia Avenua. The other is a coffee house/bar/lounge dubbed The Independent (as opposed to the partisan), which will be located at 7th and Florida. Both places are fairly good size, but the Independent stands out in particular, with a total occupancy of 235 and a summer garden with an occupancy of 90. They're looking to be open until 2 AM Sun- Thurs, and until 3 AM on Friday and Saturday. Good luck on that one, boys.

Also of note: a discussion regarding the proposed expansion of the African-American Civil War Museum.

For more details, visit the ANC1B website.

Random Neighborhood Thoughts, Pt. 2

The latest in a continuing series of posts that are basically a series of disconnected thoughts. Best for those of us with ADD.

*****

OK, I get that people enjoy dining al fresco, particularly when the weather is nice. But is dining outside along 14th Street really that enjoyable of an experience? Between the noise and fumes emanating from the Metrobuses, the general cacophony of 14th Street traffic (particularly motorcycles and EMS vehicles) and random people approaching you for a "friendly chat", let's just say that I've dined outside in better places.

*****

It will be a nice day once Metro is able to update its fleet of buses and get everything running as quiet as, say, the G2 along P Street. The 50 line buses can sound like a jet engine taking off when they accelerate--which is amplified when the Metrobus driver stops and accelerates a dozen times in the space of a single block.

*****

Speaking of buses, I meant to write earlier about the story from a few weeks back noting that the District was stepping back from Circulator expansion out of concern that it was competing with the Metrobus system. My question: why is that a bad thing? If people gravitate towards a system that offers greater frequency and reliability, a simplified route and fewer stops (meaning you get to your destination faster), that should say something to the Metro powers-that-be. Your job should be to present District residents with the most dependable and reliable public transit possible; if Metrobus is failing in that regard, fix it. Don't cut back on Circulator expansion simply because it's perceived to be stealing riders from Metrobus.

*****

Switching gears a bit...I'm impressed with how the Room and Board building is coming along. I'll be the first to admit that the prospects of yet another furniture retailer along 14th Street didn't exactly send me rushing into the streets with giddyness. But they're doing a fantastic renovation on that building, and the customer traffic they will bring into the neighborhood can only serve to help the other local retailers. It's also nice to have a new business enter the neighborhood that doesn't provoke some kind of alcohol-fueled controversy.


*****

For all the talk about how DC's homicide rate continues to plummet (and that is a *good* thing), why no talk about how gun crimes are going up through the roof? It's good that the triggers aren't getting pulled as often, but for anyone on the wrong end of a gun robbery the experience can be traumatizing. Yeah, DC's something like a thousand times safer than it was 20 years ago, but let's maintain some perspective.

*****

OK, seriously, WTF is with all of the tagging going on in the neighborhood? We raised this back in February, with assurances that it would be addressed. Yet, near as I can tell, the volume of tags has only increased. The Verizon building next door to Cafe Salsa got hit sometime last week.

*****

I noticed that the 11th Street streetscape project is finally wrapping up. A mere 10 months over schedule. And people wonder why business owners get nervous whenever a streetscape project is announced? To see what a *really* messed up street looks like, head over to H Street NE. That one is a real mess.

*****

And finally...yes, the Caps loss to Montreal is beyond disappointing, yes Bruce Boudreau should be brought back, and no, Jaroslav Halak is not the second coming of Patrick Roy or Dominic Hasek. He just played like it.

Now I've been reduced to rooting for my other favorite team: whoever is playing Pittsburgh.

For Breakfast Today We Have...Omelette Taquitos?

Good Lord. Who in their right mind would start their day with one of these things?


If these are your choices, you might as well go with the sausuge-n-lard special.

Cork and Fork to Open Soon; Point Chaud Crepes Coming Too?

Those of you who have been complaining about the lack of wine merchants in the area, and/or who long to have yet another business in the neighborhood with the name "Cork" in it, rejoice: Virginia-based wine merchants Cork and Fork will be opening their long-awaited location at 14th and Church Streets within the coming week. (An "official" opening of May 8 has been put forth; although I have received word of a "soft opening" taking place in the days before that.)


The store is, like most places in the neighborhood, opening several months later than they had anticipated (a December 2009 opening was the original date, way back when). But starting in May, Logan-ites will have yet another location from which to purchase the fruit of the vine. Cork and Fork promises us "the best wines available" to go with so-called "Wine 101" classes and other educational opportunities.

In other 'news", it seems that Point Chaud crepes is finally getting around to getting their creperie off the ground, at least if the construction permits and paper now appearing in the window are any indication. There has been some recent speculation that Point Chaud is simply leading us on, with plans to open elsewhere--but that now seems not to be the case.


Sadly, with the demise of Joe Carmack's "Crepes on the Corner" across the street, it also means there won't be any 14th Street Crepe Wars. Pity.

Zoning Commission Takes Emergency Action: Bar/Restaurant Cap to be Raised

I am a bit late in posting this, but I did want to pass along the news that, at their meeting on Monday, the Zoning Commission decided to take emergency action to address the controversy that has erupted regarding the future of bars and restaurants in the area.

The Commission voted to expand the allowable percentage of linear frontage along 14th and U streets in the Arts Overlay District to 30%, up from 25%. The action goes into effect immediately and will last for 120 days, meaning that no businesses should see their operations or planned development disrupted by this issue.

At its June meeting, the Commission is expected to take up the issue of permanently raising the cap on bars and restaurants along the corridor to 50%, which was the recommendation provided by the Office of Planning in their letter sent last week to the Commission.

So, in sum: stop freaking out. We're cool here--more tapas is on the way.

How to Clean a Lot

A couple of weeks ago, I put up a post about the decrepit state of a vacant lot at 14th and R streets, noting the tremendous amount of trash, debris and rats that had been allowed to accumulate there.

I was contacted by Christine Noel Kidwell, the Ward 2 Outreach & Service Specialist from the Office of the Mayor, who indicated that she would make arrangements to have the lot cleaned "soon". Lo and behold, as I am walking by the vacant lot yesterday evening, I spot this:



Those that subscribe to the "broken windows" theory of crime reduction should be pleased by this; as for me, I'm simply happy that such a neighborhood eyesore has been cleaned up. Now, how long it will stay that way is another matter, but many thanks to Ms. Kidwell and her team for being so responsive.

Nellie's Robbed at Gunpoint; Mid-City Caffe is Really Cool

It appears that Nellie's was robbed this afternoon at gunpoint; Borderstan has the scoop.

I can't tell you how upsetting it is to learn that businesses we love have been the victim of a violent crime. The Mrs. and I have watched more Capitals and Buckeyes games at Nellie's (and played a few rounds of Jenga) than we can count. Thankfully, no one was injured.

On another note, I wanted to pass along a positive story about one of our local businesses. Over the weekend, I inadvertently left my debit card in a local ATM. Aside from being risky to your bank account, it presents all kinds of headaches for your day-to-day activities--including paying for your morning coffee and bagel. I had to hang around the neighborhood a bit this morning in order to wait for the bank branch to open up so I could retrieve my card; while I did so, I decided to pop into the Mid-City Caffe for some breakfast and a coffee.

After placing my order, it immediately dawned on me that I had no cash to pay for it. Seeing my predicament, the guy working the counter said "no problem, just pay us the next time you're in," and promptly delivered my bagel and latte. Now, he certainly didn't have to do that...but it was really cool that he did. So, thank you Mid-City. You've certainly earned yourself a loyal customer.

The "25% Rule": Clearing Up Some Misconceptions

Ever since the announcement from DCRA's zoning administrator a couple of weeks ago that no more certificate of occupancy permits would be issued for bars or restaurants along 14th and U Streets, there has been a lot of uproar--and confusion--about what it means and how it will affect the neighborhood going forward.

That's understandable, as there has been a lot of confusing information (and hyperbole) being tossed around. Yet while individuals are of course going to continue to draw their own conclusions about what motivated the announcement, and what effect it might have, I wanted to at least attempt to clear up some of the misconceptions or confusion that surrounds this issue.

Q. Why did DCRA choose to make the ruling now?
A. Simple answer: because the so-called "25% cap" on bars and restaurants was about to be hit, and DCRA would be violating established DC zoning law by continuing to approve CofO permits for bars and restaurants that would cause the cap to be exceeded. Until fairly recently, no definitive study existed as to what percentage of street level retail frontage throughout the Arts Overlay District consisted of bar or restaurant operations. DCRA recently completed such a study, and found that the percentage was just a shade under 25%--meaning that any more bars or restaurants would exceed the cap. Thus, the recent ruling from the Zoning Administrator.

Q. Did DCRA thwart the recommendations of the Arts Overlay Review Committee in its recent declaration?
A. Absolutely not. In fact, DCRA was merely doing what the Arts Overlay Committee had requested it do: namely, conduct an assessment of the makeup of the retail market throughout the Arts Overlay District, and enforce the law accordingly. No one advocated that DCRA ignore the law and continue approving CofO permits in violation of the zoning code. It's important to understand that DCRA does not have the power to alter the zoning code; they can merely enforce it.

At worst, DCRA could be accused of being negligent on the PR front, via the issuance of a letter that seemed to ring the death knell for restaurants and bars along 14th and U streets. But nothing in DCRA's actions precludes the adoption of the Arts Overlay Committee's recommendations; in fact, one might argue that the statement hastened their consideration.

Q. Does DCRA's ruling mean the end of bars and restaurants along 14th Street and U Street?
A. Hardly. To begin, DCRA's statement has no affect on any bars or restaurants currently in operation, or those that are planned and have already received their CofO permit. Those that have NOT yet received their CofO may apply for an exemption through the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), who have traditionally been lenient with approving zoning exemptions for businesses along the 14th and U Street corridors.

Secondly, this past Thursday, the Office of Planning submitted a letter to the Zoning Commission formally requesting adoption of certain recommendations put forth by the Arts overlay Committee; specifically, those recommendations that dealt specifically with raising the cap on bars and restaurants to 50% of street level retail frontage. The letter requested that the Zoning Commission consider the issue under an emergency basis at their April 26 meeting (since certain proposed establishments stand to be affected by the ruling). Failure to do so would mean that the measure would move forward as a regular amendment and would become effective by the end of July.

Q. I've heard quotes from community leaders that the popular sentiment is that most in the neighborhood do not want additional bars and restaurants. Is this true?
A. While no one has gone door-to-door polling this question, it is safe to say that quite the opposite is true. When the Arts Overlay Committee presented their recommendations for changes to the Arts Overlay restrictions--including raising the allowable cap on bars and restaurants to up to 50%--they were supported nearly unanimously by all three area ANCs (1B, 2B and 2F) as well as by several area neighborhood associations. During the course of the Committee's public meetings throughout the summer of 2009, comments and testimony were virtually unanimous in support of allowing more restaurants and bars into the neighborhood. There is a recognition amongst most members of the community--leaders, business owners and residents--that such establishments have been, and will continue to be, key to the ongoing renaissance of the 14th and U street corridors.

It's true that certain community leaders, such as ANC1B commissioner Peter Raia, have spoken out on the issue, claiming that a majority of neighborhood residents and business owners support maintaining the 25% cap. I do not feel this is accurate, and do not believe that such a view is supported by anything other than anecdotal evidence.

Q. So, what's next?
A. As noted above, the Zoning Commission will take up the issue at its April 26 meeting. It could consider the issue under an emergency situation, in which case the recommendations--namely, the raising of the allowable cap on bars and restaurants-- included in the letter submitted by the Office of Planning would go into effect soon after. If the matter is not considered under an emergency situation, it will proceed through the normal channels, and would likely go into effect by late July.

In addition to raising the cap, the Office of Planning also requested that the Zoning Commission adopt another recommendation put forth by the Arts Overlay Committee: moving from measuring the percentage of bars and restaurants throughout the whole of the Arts Overlay District, to measuring it on a block-by-clock basis. In other words, no one block will be permitted to have more than 50% of street level retail comprised of bars and restaurants. (Blocks that already exceed that amount will be grandfathered in.) The practical effect will be that, for instance, the number of restaurants or bars along the 1400 block of U Street will no longer have an effect on the number of restaurants or bars along the 1300 block of 14th Street. In addition to making much more sense, the policy will also serve to foster retail diversity throughout the entire District.

In the meantime, businesses who stand to be impacted--and there are a few--are likely in the process of preparing applications for exemptions before BZA in order to move their permitting process forward, should the Zoning Commission not act in a timely manner or adopt all of the recommendations as proposed by the Office of Planning.

Certainly, it can be viewed as an unneeded hardship on businesses that many feel are already too bogged down in bureaucracy and red tape; it's difficult to disagree. But keep in mind that what DCRA is doing is enforcing the law, regardless of the motivations of those advocating for strict adherence to the 25% cap. The legal channels currently being worked--namely, the swift movement undertaken to change the zoning code to allow bars and restaurants to continue to flourish in the neighborhood--are the right ones. In addition to being the proper application of the process, it also helps ensure that future challenges to the law can be more easily dismissed.

This Thursday: Drinks at Madam's Organ for a Worthy Cause

As our readers no doubt are aware, we rarely post about goings-on outside our little neck of DC. But in this instance, I'm making an exception.

Community of Hope is an organization that provides healthcare, housing educational opportunities and other support services to needy families throughout DC. Mr. and Mrs. 14thandYou have been contributing to CoH for quite awhile, and find them to be a very worthwhile organization. This Thursday, Madam's Organ is hosting a happy hour benefit for Community of Hope.

Below is the message I received from Community of Hope's Whitney Hicks about this event--if you find yourself in Adams-Morgan for happy hour tomorrow, I'd urge you to stop by, grab a drink or two, and support this organization.

Happy Hour Fundraiser at Madam’s Organ Blues Bar in Adams Morgan this Thursday, April 15 between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. for Community of Hope.

For almost 30 years, Community of Hope has worked tirelessly to improve the health and quality of life for low-income, homeless and underserved families and individuals in the District of Columbia. Our holistic range of programs – from healthcare and housing with supportive services to educational opportunities and spiritual support – provide hope and stability to the adults and children who need these services. We have a clinic in Adams Morgan, transitional housing apartments in Columbia Heights and Anacostia, and a permanent supportive housing program throughout the city. To learn more, please visit our website: http://www.communityofhopedc.org/.

Participants don't have to donate a dime - just drink and eat! Community of Hope receives $1 for each drink ordered (including sodas and juice), and 20% of all food sales. Madam's also offers $1 off drink specials until 8:00 p.m.

At the Madam’s Organ Thursday Happy Hours, you can enjoy the atmosphere of a live blues bar and soul food restaurant while supporting a great cause.

Madam's is located at:
2461 18th Street, NW
Adams Morgan, Washington, DC
(202) 667-5370

Cleaning Up an Eyesore

This is the scene at the vacant lot at 14th and R streets next door to Miss Pixie's, otherwise known as the future home of a condo building being developed by Loford, LLC and Habte Sequar of Sequar Development. The space will eventually hold over 30,000 sf of residential and retail development.

While it is waiting to become home to yet another high-end condo building however, the lot is currently home to a disgustingly large amount of filth, garbage and rodents.

In case you're wondering, it is indeed Mr. Sequar's responsibility to keep the lot cleaned up, which--from the looks of the lot--is not a priority for him.

For those interested in dealing with such situations, your first step should be to do as I did, and submit a request through the Mayor's Call Center. Should the city receive enough complaints about the condition of the lot, DCRA and the Department of Health can send out a team to clean the lot and bill the owner. The Department of health also maintains a Rodent Control and Enforcement staff to deal with rodent problems throughout the city.

At any rate, it would be nice to be able to walk down 14th Street and not have to encounter scenes such as this: