“Doc” Payne, 83, passed away last Sunday. He was a fixture outside of Peregrine Espresso near Eastern Market for years – soliciting change from customers and passersby regardless of the weather. His full name was Earl Ronald “Doc” Payne.
According to his friend and Peregrine habitué Nicky Sundt, “Doc was born in 1940 in Washington, DC, and by the age of 14 was living on his own. He learned how to box and was promising in the ring….But before he could get close to realizing that dream, he killed a man. Enraged after his brother-in-law beat Doc’s sister, Doc tracked him down to the military commissary where he worked. He chased him through the commissary and thrashed him. His brother in law fractured his skull in the fight and died. Doc shows me the scar on the back of his head where the Military Police hit him with the butt of a gun to subdue him.
He spent more than twenty years in Federal penitentiaries for that. He subsequently returned to DC and entered a program that teaches “long timers” to live outside prison after their release.”
“Doc” and friend Tama Duffy Day prior to the motorized wheelchair. Photo: Tama Duffy Day
Sundt continued, “In recent years, after a minor stroke and a long hospital stay, Doc (had) a harder time getting around and relie(d) on a walker….when one of his many fans noticed that his old walker was in poor condition, she picked up a new one and dropped it off at his house.” Later, when the walker became too difficult to manage, he acquired a motorized wheelchair.
Doc lived in Kentucky Courts, raising his daughter’s two teenaged sons, one of whom died about a year ago. His daughter – who lived in West Virginia – died in an auto accident a several years earlier.
He’s remembered for his unfailing kindness and positivity. Sundt recalls Doc’s customary greeting to passersby: “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Yes it is, yes it is.”
During the pandemic, his friends feared he wouldn’t survive. But he did. He survived despite a host of medical problems and a life time of adversity. And he never gave up.
Last night, many Capitol Hill residents opted for the firework display at Lincoln Park rather than the one on the National Mall. The display was an uncoordinated effort by half a dozen or so civic minded residents who just like shooting off fireworks and want to share the experience with neighbors. One of those celebrants – who CHC talked to at Peregrine Espresso this morning and who travels to West Virginia for the pyrotechnics – noted how much more expensive they’ve become this year.
But it wasn’t just these major players – many residents chose the location to shoot off their own supply. The gathering was casual and many families watched from blankets spread on the grass. The sense of community was strong in a way that is generally absent from the Mall gathering and for many, it was clearly the place to be.
The crowd-pleasing Eastern High Blue & White Marching Machine stood in for the U.S. Marine Band, leading the July Fourth Parade on Barracks Row. According to sources, they were in Boston this year.
Ward 6 DC Councilmember Charles Allen marched…
… and got in some face time with future voters.
City Council Chair and Capitol Hill Resident Phil Mendelson showed up.
So did Council Member at Large Kevin McDuffie.
The increasingly influential Capitol Hill bike riders demonstrated a show of strength.
Capitol Hill BID President Patty Brosmer led the Men In Blue Contingent…
…which was far away the most popular among the younger crowd.
And the Bolivian Dancers brought their high energy and colorful costumes back to Barracks Row.
Here’s the grandstand for “A Capitol Fourth,” with the National Symphony Orchestra as it appeared Monday morning on the West Front of the US Capitol. Grounds open at 3:00pm, Tuesday – music starts at 8:00pm – fireworks at 9:06pm. Among the featured talent: Boys II Men, country duo Maddie and Tae, opera star Renee Fleming, R&R Hall of Famer Belinda Carlisle, and others.
The US Capitol – currently under renovation – faces the grandstand.
Off to the side is the mess tent to feed the dozens of crew members who make the event happen.
About 11:00am, Belinda Carlisle was rehearsing “We Got the Beat.” Carlisle was lead vocalist for the Go’ Go’s – the most successful all-female rock band of all time.
Over on the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Mezeh Mediterranean Grill has papered over the windows of the former Roland’s. Not sure what’s going on behind the paper, but no permits are visible. (Re orginal caption, Barred in DC points out they will not be serving alcohol and will have no license issues with ABC6B.)
Bob Gellman from Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) has created a list of 160 Little Free Libraries – locations he collected while walking on Capitol Hill. One that’s not on his list is on Decater Street in Petworth that replicates the owners’ house and goes the extra mile…
I mean, with a wall-papered interior and all.
The Week Ahead…& Some Recent Photos
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 3, 2023
Tuesday, July 4
Barracks Row MainStreet July 4th Parade starts at 10:00am.
Wednesday, July 5
ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Extreme Pizza; 520 8th Street, SE. Application for an Entertainment Endorsement for Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License.
725 8th Street, SE. Application for a new Retailer’s Class “A” Liquor Store.
Los Caballeros Restaurant. 308 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Application for a Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant License.
Capital Square Bar and Grill. 1500 East Capitol Street, SE. (SMD 7D08) On-going noise complaints impacting SMD 6B06 residents.
Update on I Egg You Protest. ABC Chair attended the required Roll Call hearing. The Mediation is scheduled for July 19 but the Chair has a conflict on that date. Jayaraman for ANC 6B and the Counsel for the Establishment agreed to change the date to July 26 but this must be done as a formal joint request. Counsel for the Establishment is drafting a filing to do that.
Pacci’s Trattoria. 106 13th Street, SE. Public Space Permit application for New Sidewalk Cafe Un-Enclosed.
ANC6C Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
616 7th Street, NE. Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application for a variance from the lot occupancy requirements and a special exception to construct a rear deck on an attached, two-story (with cellar) principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Hill Center Gathering Terrace Project. Adding a gathering terrace at the Hill Center for public use and events.
116 5th Street SE Project. Historic Preservation Application. Design concept for addition of a third floor containing a bedroom and bathroom and enclosure of a second-floor rooftop deck to extend an existing bedroom.
405 4th Street SE Project. Historic Preservation Application. Design concept for a three story rear addition to an existing two story row house principal dwelling and to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit in the RF-3 zone.
405 4th Street SE Project. Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application. To construct a three story rear addition to an existing two story row house principal dwelling and to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit in the RF-3 zone.
Update on Subcommittee on Alley Closing in Square 762
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 