The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 4, 2024

The Folger Shakespeare Library’s grand reopening of its historic building—after a 4-year renovation—is scheduled for June 21, 2024. The renovation was designed to open up the Library and make it a welcoming space for visitors.  To that end, the designers use landscaping to bring people down the garden path and into the Shakespeare world of story-telling.  The renovation has resulted 12,000 square feet of public space much of which will be used to show people what the Library has: rare books and manuscripts covering the beginning of the age of print all the way through the creation of the Atlantic world.  There will also be a café, new galleries and garden spaces, a learning lab, and an expanded gift shop.

“Serene Willow Reflections” 2023 by Marilyn Saks-McMillion

“Reflections” is the theme the Capitol Hill Art League latest show featuring the work of league members.  The art is on display through March 1st in an exhibition at the Frame of Mine Gallery located at 545 8th Street, S.E. on Barracks Row.  The artists are offering unique views in painting, photography and mixed media art.  The following artists are featured in the show: Lindsay Ahart, Ken Bachman, Lisa Bernstein, Kimberly DeJesus Alfonso, Matthew Gonzales, Tara Hamilton, Steve Kunin, Steve Mabley, Charles Martin, Jenny Nordstrom, Marilyn Saks-McMillion, Ting Wang, and Karen Zens.

The Art League invites you to visit the gallery when shopping at Frame of Mine as well as viewing it online at the Capitol Hill Art League website at: https://www.caphillartleague.org/reflections2024/ The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). For more information about the Art League, visit the website at www.caphillartleague.org

Mezeh Mediterranean Grill hoped to open last September in the space formerly occupied by Roland’s convenience store at 333 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  That didn’t happen, but there’s hope. 

The buildout is underway and here’s a look behind the papered over windows.  The store will be the latest in the Mezeh’s chain of more than 40 fast casual restaurants in the mid-Atlantic region.  Mezeh specializes in fresh food and natural flavors, made from scratch in-house daily with 100% olive oil halal protein, no hormones, no preservatives, and/or additives.

Chef Spike Mendelsohn is being sued for not paying rent on the former location of Santa Rosa Tacqueria at 315 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  According to Daniel J. Sernovitz of the Washington Business Journal, Mendelsohn’s former landlord, Zusin Development, says there is a total $308,458 in unpaid rent. 

The For Lease sign in the window of Santa Rosa Taqueria signaled its move to 301 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, the space formerly occupied by Pret A Manger. Mendelsohn has other two restaurants in the same block – We, The Pizza and Good Stuff Eatery.

Here are a couple of paintings by Washington, DC artist Alma Thomas, currently on exhibit at the Smithsonian American art Museum.  Thomas, 1891 – 1978, used acrylic on canvas to create “Untitled” (Music Series) in 1978.

This work, “The Eclipse,” by Thomas was inspired by the total eclipse which occurred on March 7, 1970, visible across the US, including Washington, DC. 

The Week Ahead…

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 4, 2024

Monday, February 5

The interim Southeast Library interim facility at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center, 1000 5th Street, SE will open for the first time at 10:00am today. 

ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00 pm

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the agenda:

• Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project Update. The Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project (https://floridaavene-streetscape.ddot.dc.gov/ outreach team) will provide project updates and address community safety concerns with related contractor work.
• H Street NE Bus Priority Project. Mr. Zack Gambetti-Mendez will present the design of the H Street NE Bus Priority Project. (https://ddotwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NI/pages/2350907486/NOI-24-07-TDD) and address comments and questions from the community.
• West Virginia Avenue NE Traffic Safety. ANC6A TPS Committee Chair Shaun Lynch will lead a discussion regarding persistent traffic safety issues on the 800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE.
• Prospective Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT with recommendations for traffic safety improvements on the 800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE, including preferred direction for a potential one-way conversion.
• TSIs for Future Consideration. Commissioner Gove requested a discussion of languishing all-way stop requests at the following intersections: 14th NE and A Streets NE, 15th NE and A Streets NE, 15th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE, 14th Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE, E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE.
• Prospective Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting prioritization of longstanding TSIs at the intersections of 14th NE and A Streets NE, 15th NE and A Streets NE, 15th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE, 14th Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE and E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE at the next quarterly prioritization assessment.

ANC6C Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee Meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6D Administrative virtual Meeting at 7:00pm

Please contact the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov  if you wish to have a link to monitor the Admin meeting.

Tuesday, February 6

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Review Settlement Agreement for No Kids Allowed; 637B Pennsylvania Ave SE; new medical cannabis retailer. 
• Review Settlement Agreement for DC Dash; 727 8th Street SE; new medical cannabis retailer. 
• Review Settlement Agreement for UpnSmoke: 427 8th street, SE; new medical cannabis retailer license.

Wednesday, February 7

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• DMV Director Robinson Presentation on Department Priorities.
• Request to Endorse Report on Sidewalk Safety.
• Request for ANC Support: Capitol Hill Classic 2024.
• Testimony for Council Oversight Hearing on DDOT.
• Letter Regarding TSI at 14th & C Street SE.
• Committee Discussion on Suggestion to Close 7th Street SE during SE Library Reconstruction.

ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Agenda:  TBA

Thursday, February 8

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Presentations

• Social Housing.
• John Qua and Fatoumata Keita, DC for Democracy and Metro DC DSA.
• Will Merrifield, Center for Social Housing.

New Business:

• Recommendation: ANC6A approve a grant in the amount of $1,000.00 to Maury Elementary School PTO for the establishment of an outdoor garden.
• Suggested Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT with recommendations for traffic safety improvements on the 800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE, including preferred direction for a potential one-way conversion.
• Suggested Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting prioritization of longstanding TSIs at the intersections of 14th NE and A Streets NE, 15th NE and A Streets NE, 15th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE, 14th Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE and E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE at the next quarterly prioritization assessment.
• Suggested Motion: ANC6A approve Ziad Demian (6A04) as a member of the Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ) Committee.

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a hybrid virtual meeting at 7:00pm. Physical location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s)

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6b.org/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• 1362 K Street, SE Project: Zoning Adjustment application.  To construct a two-story addition to an existing accessory building, of an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• 633 E Street, SE Rear Project: Historic Preservation application. To construct a two-story addition to an existing accessory building, of an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• Discussion Regarding Construction at Ebeneezer Flats (400 Block of D Street SE.
• Discussion Regarding Construction Issues and Sale Process Tied to DC Developer.
• Update from Subcommittee

ANC6C Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join, go here:  https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/

Agenda:  TBA

Capitol Hill Corner would like you to know about:

February 9

Barracks Row Main Street’s – National Pizza Day – Feb 9th  https://www.barracksrow.org/

On Friday, February 9th, we will invite guests to come take a stroll down historic 8th Street Barracks Row and taste delicious pizza from some of the best restaurants in the city. Guests will be able to enjoy pizza/food specials from Barracks Row Main streets at each participating establishment

February 9

Barracks Row Main Street’s – Mardi Gras Weekend on Barracks Row 8th Street – Feb 9th to 13^th. https://www.barracksrow.org/

Starting on Friday, February 9th, we will invite guests to take a stroll down historic 8th Street Barracks Row and celebrate New Orleans-style Mardi Gras. Guests will be able to enjoy Mardi Gras Sidewalk Parades with beads on Friday, Feb 9th, and Saturday, Feb 10th.

February 9

Introduction: Rothko Paintings

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.  East Building Auditorium

https://www.nga.gov/calendar/lectures/exhibitions/rothko-paintings.html/2024/02/09/1300

This talk introduces the range of Mark Rothko’s paintings, from early figurative subjects and surrealist works to his soft-edged rectangular fields. We will consider Rothko’s interest in color theory, music, and spirituality and the historical context for his work. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Mark Rothko: Paintings on Paper, this talk focuses on works in the exhibition as well as those on view in the East Building Tower. Led by staff from the Department of Interpretation.  No registration required. Seating is on a first-come basis.