Eastern Market Board Seeks Candidates for Open Seat
The death of Thomas C. Kuchenberg on April 13, 2024 – who served for many years as the community representative on the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) – left vacant the seat assigned by statute to be occupied by an Independent Community Representative. Regulations require the posting of the vacancy and the procedure for filling the seat. Accordingly, below is a copy of the notification issued by EMCAC.
PRESS IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EMCAC – Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee
Election of INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE
The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) will have an election by its members for the seat of Independent Community Representative. This will be done during its scheduled meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the North Hall at the Eastern Market.
To qualify for election to a two-year term, the EMCAC Independent Community Representative is required to be a resident of the District of Columbia. Additionally, the individual so selected shall not be an officer, director, or chair of any committee in any of the Capitol Hill Community Organizations represented on the EMCAC, or a sitting Commissioner of ANC 6B. Election is by simple majority of the standing EMCAC members.
If you would like to put your name in nomination, we ask that you submit your name and short resume by September 15, 2024 to EMCAC at Jackie_Krieger@yahoo.com.
EMCAC is the District’s legislatively-established body entrusted with advisory and oversight responsibilities for the operations, management, and renovation of Eastern Market. Current members include representatives from ANC 6B, the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants, the Capitol Hill Restoration Society, the Eastern Market Preservation and Development Corporation, Stanton Park Neighborhood Association, Ward 6 Council Office, the Office of the Mayor, a Community Representative, and representatives from the South Hall, the Farmer’s Line, and non-food merchants at the Market.
We cordially invite the community to all of our meetings. They are generally held on the last Wednesday of each month in the North Hall at Eastern Market, 7th Street and North Carolina Avenue, SE. Your comments or involvement on any of our committees is welcomed.
For additional information or questions, please contact: Jackie Krieger, Vice Chair, by text or call at 202-543-1120 or e-mail at Jackie_Krieger@yahoo.com.
New Caribbean/Afro Restaurant Coming to H Street NE
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 15, 2024
Last Thursday night, ANC6A voted to support a restaurant liquor license application for a new restaurant opening on H Street NE. AG Restaurant will occupy the space at 816 H Street, formerly home to Dirty Water, Wasted, and TPK.
Owners Donna Scott-Dadzie and husband Ralph Dadzie are from West Africa and come to DC via NYC and lately from Richmond – where they own the upscale Bellos Lounge and Restaurant serving Caribbean and African cuisine including jollof rice, fufu and curry, soya burgers, jerk chicken wings, and cocktails named for African cities. Donna is executive chef and the couple owns the building. Here’s a link to the Bellos website and menu: https://www.belloslounge.com/
The liquor license application includes a stipulated license, allowing them to operate immediately while the restaurant liquor license is being processed. It also includes an entertainment endorsement – Donna says they may have live entertainment at brunch. The venue has an occupancy load of 166 occupants.
Images from the 50th re-dedication of the Bethune Memorial on Saturday afternoon.
A veil covers the Bethune Memorial. The statue was unveiled near the end of the re-dedication ceremony, following remarks by Dr. A. Lois Keith, Chair of the Board, National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
Some 500 community members and guests attended the ceremony. There were 325 seats in the tent where the first row was occupied by the Bethune-Cookman University Concert Chorale, directed by Karl Van Richards (left end of second row). Another 150 attendees gathered outside the tent.
Among the dignitaries who addressed the crowd was The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, US. House of Representatives.
Mayor Bowser arrived mid-ceremony, and is seen here greeting City Council Chair Phil Mendelson. Mendelson, who appears to be lunging in for a hug is actually in the process of disengaging from one.
CM Charles Allen is more restrained.
Mayor Bowser was introduced at the podium by Mistress of Ceremonies Jotaka Eaddy, Founder and CEO, The Full Circle Strategies.
The Week Ahead…
Wednesday, July 17
ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.
1351 C Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application – to construct a penthouse and roof deck to an existing, attached, two-story, flat in the RF-1 zone. Special exception to the height requirements.
Thursday, July 18
ANC6D Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Tuesday, July 16,
Safety Walk & Talk. Meet at 13th and I Street, SE in the Triangle Park at 5:30pm. Joining will be officers from MPD’s 1st District and by Councilmember Allen and his staff, and ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder. This will be an opportunity to discuss any concerns with MPD and to hear from them about various initiatives and steps they’re taking to address issues in our neighborhood and the surrounding area.
Friday, July 19
Friday night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza features Josanne Francis Steel Pan Band in Concert.
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Friday afternoon, Northeast Library, circa 1:45pm. Some Friends of the Library finish setting up for tomorrow’s book sale.
Reminder: NE/SE Library Book Sale, Saturday July 13, 10am – 3pm
The Friends of the SE and NE libraries are again having a Second Saturday book sale this Saturday, July 13. The Library is at 7th and Maryland Avenues NE.
The sale begins when the library opens at 10:00 am. We begin to pack up around 2:45 pm and are done by 3:00 pm. The sale is on the lower level of the library. Entrance to the sale is through the library (and down the stairs or elevator).
In general, we have new and mostly used books of all types, including children’s books, fiction, best sellers, non-fiction, cookbooks mysteries, science, science fiction, romance, religion, history, biography, self-help, classics, travel, etc. We have music CDs as well. We usually have a few books on disk too.
Proceeds benefit local libraries, especially the Southeast Library, the Northeast Library, and the DC Library.
We are accepting donations now and during the sale. The donation bin is in inside the library at the bottom of the stairs on the lower level.
Please, NO text books, NO casebooks, NO magazines, NO foreign language books, NO outdated computer books, NO encyclopedias. CDs are fine, but NO VHS tapes or cassettes. No one seems to want DVDs and we prefer not to get them.
We hope to continue with book sales on the Second Saturday of each month, but we need to see how the sales and especially the donations go.
Got the ability to recirculate this message on other lists? That would be much appreciated.
Tonight: Friday Night Live Jazz features Crush Funk Brass Band at 5:30pm at Eastern Market Metro Plaza
by Larry Janezich
Posted Friday, July 12
Crush Funk Brass Band is a popular DC area band formed in 2022 and inspired by the brass music of the New Orleans second line parades organized by the Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs. Crush Funk adds an “urban Capital City modern fun(k) twist” according to their FB page. (Funk is the rhythmic, danceable music synthesized from a mixture of musical genres.) Here’s a link to their FB page. https://www.facebook.com/crushfunk
The concert series comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation. CM Charles Allen secured funding in the current FY DC Budget to program the performance space at the Plaza.
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ANC6C held a virtual monthly meeting on Wednesday night.
Update on Cease and Desist for Two H Street NE Weed Shops
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 11, 2024
At ANC6C’s monthly Commission meeting on Wednesday night, Commission Chair Mark Eckenweiler gave the board members an update on ABCA’s cease and desist orders issued to two illegal H Street NE weed gifting shops last week: “American Papers [at 504 H Street, NE] has apparently shuttered its operation – at least I’m unaware that any activity has occurred. Safe House at 335 H Street is in open defiance and there will be further proceedings to address that. But the uncontrolled chaos and the adverse impacts that we’ve had on H Street from some of these operations will be drawing to a close shortly – I’m very confident – and I’m very very pleased that the ABCA board took this step. I also want to recognize that CM Charles Allen was key to getting us to this point in terms of sponsoring the amendments in the emergency legislation passed this spring to fill some gaps clarifying enforcement authorities for the enforcement agencies, but then also pressing for… the enforcement. “
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R.I.P. Raiford Gaffney – Community Builder and Benefactor
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 10, 2024
Capitol Hill community builder Raiford Gaffney passed away on Friday, July 5, at her home across the street from Tyler Elementary School. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Raiford will be remembered by friends and neighbors for her community stewardship, much of which centered around St. Mark’s church, on Capitol Hill. She started attending services at St. Mark’s in 1997. Gaffney was an integral part of the St. Mark’s community, serving stints on the staff and participating in committee and stewardship activities to support the church.
Gaffney also contributed a great deal to the Southeast Library. At the July 8th meeting of ANC6B’s Southeast Library Taskforce, Chair David Sobelsohn noted that Raiford “was the original vice chair and stalwart member of the Taskforce and came to every meeting. She attended the meeting with CM Charles Allen where we were able to get funds for the Arthur Capper interim SE Library facility.” Sobelsohn also mentioned the Gaffney assisted the AARP in their free tax preparation service. “We will miss her terribly,” Sobelsohn said, before observing a moment of silence in her honor.
CHC reached out to Neal and Janice Gregory, members of St. Mark’s for some 50 years. Neal remembered Raiford: “We knew Raiford primarily through her work at St. Mark’s. She seemed to be involved in every aspect of a very active congregation. I wondered how she got the time and energy to perform the many services she rendered at the church as well as at other neighborhood spots where I encountered her such as the Hill Center, the Folger, and the Marine Corps Parade. She was a real ball of fire.”
Susan Sedgewick of the Capitol Hill Village (CHV) Advocacy Steering Committee recalled that Raiford “was a CHV member but most of her volunteer efforts with regards to Village-like activities were with St. Mark’s parishioners, many who did not live on the Hill.”
Gaffney was also a music lover. She was instrumental in bringing early music concerts to Washington venues, including St. Marks.
According to a biography supplied by St. Mark’s, Blanche Raiford Gaffney was born August 25, 1943 in Atlanta, Georgia.
She had a long career in the federal government, working for the Army Intelligence School in Dundalk, MD; the National Security Agency; the Commodities Future Trading Commission; and, finally, the IRS, where she remained until retiring in 1998. Gaffney was extremely proud of her work for the IRS. In a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, she said, “I was honored to work at the Internal Revenue Service for 15 years… and was amazed to learn how nonpolitical the IRS was compared with other agencies…Above the main entrance, a quote from Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. is carved: “Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society.”
In her final days, Raiford expressed gratitude to friends and community members who came to offer aid, comfort, and support. According to St. Mark’s: “Raiford has chosen to continue gifting our community by leaving her house to the church [saying], ‘St. Mark’s has been the family around me that I needed.’”
Attempt for largest human Ice Cream Cone Image Misses Mark. According to Brian Ready, Executive Director of Barracks Row Main Street, they had the numbers but a fluctuating crowd size and a partially blocked photo dashed the hopes for verifying Barracks Row Main Street’s attempt to break a Guinness World Record at Eastern Market Metro Plaza on July 4th. The goal was to exceed the largest number of participants creating an image of an ice cream cone. The current record is 478. Sarah Casson, Guinness World Record adjudicator, was unable to verify that 479 people participated in the effort. Ready pointed to a fluid number of participants made restless by the heat and to a partially blocked image taken from a cherry picker – the best organizers could get under city restrictions. Some 700 people answered the on-line call for RSVPs to participate, though the heat and the wait time eroded the numbers as the morning event moved to high noon. In terms of publicity for Barracks Row, however, the attempt was an unqualified success as two local television stations, WTOP and WJLA broadcast television news spots on their local news programs. See here: WTOP https://bit.ly/3XNQTqO and WJLA https://bit.ly/3SmhKH5 Photo Courtesy of Barracks Row Main Street.
Here’s Guinness World Record Adjudicator Sarah Casson and Barracks Row Main Street Executive Director Brian Ready. Photo Courtesy of Barracks Row Main Street.
SE Library Renovation: Here’s an image of the current condition of the lower level of Southeast Library, preceding excavation to add a new floor below the existing lower level. DC Library is presenting a construction update at Monday night’s meeting of the ANC6B Southeast Library Task Force. (See below.) Here’s a link to the latest construction report: https://bit.ly/4eS8l3u Photo courtesy of DC Public Library.
From Capitol Hill BID: “India Person worked as a Hospitality Ambassador at Capitol Hill BID for over 20 years. After a hard fought two year battle with cancer, she passed away on January 25, 2024. She was sunshine on a cloudy day. For 20 years India Person patrolled and cared for our BID members. She fought an amazing battle with cancer for the last 2 years…working up until the last few weeks. She passed away today [January 25, 2024] ~ Bless her beautiful soul.” BID plans to install a memorial bench for India Person on Eastern Market Metro Plaza. ANC6B is expected to support the BID’s public space application on Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of Capitol Hill BID.
Here’s the location where the bench with plaque will be installed. Photo courtesy of Capitol Hill BID.
ICYMI – ComplimentsOnly Sub shop is opening on Barracks Row in the space formerly occupied by Bitter Grace between Ginza Karaoke and Jen’s Ice Cream– part of the building complex at 526 8th Street, SE. . It will be the second location for ComplimentsOnly which has another outlet at 2029 P Street, NW. Here’s a link to their website and the menu featuring subs with quirky names. https://www.complimentsonlysubs.com/ The story was first reported by Washington Business Journal.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, July 8
ANC6B Southeast Library Taskforce will hold a hybrid virtual and in person meeting at 6:30pm. The meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Moment of silence in memory of our former vice-chair, Raiford Gaffney.
Update on the renovation of SE Library including a preview of the July construction update which will go public at the end of the week. Jaspreet Pahwa
Reopening of the Arthur Capper interim library facility including effort to expand hours of operation
ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in-person meeting at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 3 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
Among items on the draft agenda:
Consideration of a draft letter required to support for the Riverfront Bid application to DC’s Public Art Building Community (PABC) Grant Program – 2nd Street Underpass Artmaking Project for work under the overpass near Garfield Park.
Consideration of Planning and Zoning Committee action approving a commemorative bench in the EMMetro Park honoring BID Ambassador India Person.
Discussion of the Throne installation and planned evaluation reviews.
Consideration of a draft letter to appropriate members of DC Council addressing amplified sound abatement legislation.
Tuesday, July 9th
ANC6B will hold a hybrid virtual and in person meeting at 7:00pm. This meeting will be a hybrid meeting. Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Consent Calendar: TBA
Community & Commission Announcements & Speak Out.
Presentations:
Sean Moore – DC Water, Lead Free DC Presentation/Update for ANC 6BANC.
ANC 6B Resolution on DC Utility Shutoff Ban.
Consideration of Settlement Agreement for DMV Liquors Wines and Beers, 643 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (formerly J.J. Mutts). Renewal of a Class A Liquor License.
629 South Carolina Avenue, SE. Project: To construct a three-story with cellar, rear addition, to an existing, attached, three-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
629 South Carolina Avenue, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Project: To construct a three-story with cellar, rear addition, to an existing, attached, three-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
1630 G Street, SE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Project: To construct a front porch addition to an existing, semi-detached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
Letter to the USAO for the District of Columbia Regarding Data Transparency.
Dave Statter, Statter 911 Communications, LLC, 30 minutes w/Q&A.
Community Presentation
Sherry Lumpkin, Noel Kassewitz, and Billy Friebele. River Spirit Project, Social Art and Culture (SAAC). Introduction and presentation of project designs.
DC Government Updates/Presentations
Lawrence Davin, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS) Ward 7 Representative.
Francis Campbell, Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray.
Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Representatives.
Letter to DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities concerning Spirit of the River Sculpture by Social Art and Culture (SAAC).
Proposed Motion: Commission to consider sending a letter of support to CAH for sculpture installation at Kingman and Heritage Islands.
4337 Douglas Street, NE. (District Properties.com LLC and LNDC, Inc.) Proposed Motion: Commission to consider sending a letter communicating ANC position on BZA Application.
Proposed Motion: Commission to consider sending a letter communicating ANC position on BZA #20769, 4533 Douglas St, NE
Proposed Motion: Commission to consider sending a letter communicating ANC position on BZA #21149, 1801 D St, NE.
Letter to Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray concerning alley naming for Square 1084. Proposed Motion: Commission to suggest 2-3 potential options for DC Council consideration.
Recommendation: ANC 6A sign a letter of support for the substantial change to the Class C restaurant license of Bloom at 1402 H Street, NE.
Recommendation: ANC 6A approve a grant to Maury Elementary School PTO in the amount of $1,000.00 to fund for installation of a crosswalk mural in 200 block of 13th Street, NE, at Tennessee Avenue NE.
Plenary Session
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of the Arts in the Right-Of-Way project at 15th Street, NE, and Constitution Avenue, NE, and reiterating a long-standing request for an all-way stop at this location.
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of an Arts in the Right-Of-Way installation at Maury Elementary School in the crosswalk across the 200 block of 13th Street at the intersection with Tennessee Avenue NE.
Recommendation: ANC 6A oppose the application for a class C restaurant license for AG Restaurant at 816 H Street, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached and that Commissioner Dooling have the authority to represent the ANC in settlement agreement discussions.
Recommendation: ANC 6A sign a letter of support for a stipulated license for AG Restaurant at 816 H Street NE (ABRA-128831) if a settlement agreement is reached.
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter of support to the BZA re: Request for a Special Exception from the matter-of-right-uses to construct a detached, two-story accessory garage with accessory dwelling to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone and use the accessory building second floor as a dwelling unit once construction is complete and a certificate of occupancy is obtained at 813 7th Street, NE.
Suggested motion: ANC 6A support the request for a two (2) year time extension to Board of Zoning Adjustment Order in order to construct a third floor with penthouse addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, mixed use building at 1252 H Street, NE.
Suggested Motion: Nomination of Commissioner Dave Wethington to be Co-Chair of ANC 6A.
Earlier this week, the DC Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) issued cease and desist orders to two illegal weed shops on H Street, NE: All American Paper at 504 H Street, NE, and Safe House at 335 H Street, NE. On Friday morning, there were no signs of activity around the former. There appeared to be a short line on the sidewalk outside the latter.
These orders, dated Wednesday, July 3, appear to be the first in the long-awaited enforcement effort against illegal weed “gifting shops.”
Two other outlets also received cease and desist orders: Hotbox at 1564 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, and Smoke Island at 1326 Wisconsin Avenue, NW.
Here’s a link to ABRA’s page where the orders reside: https://bit.ly/45VaiZ1 The orders detail the evidence ABRA agents observed while conducting inspections which lead to the board’s finding of illegal activity and the decision to issue the closure orders.
Licensed medical marijuana shops are likely to welcome the strengthened enforcement as will the former illegal “gifting shops” which have taken advantage of the city’s effort to expand the medical cannabis licensing to allow them to convert to legal outlets. Several of these illegal outlets – including Mr. Nice Guys – on Barracks Row, continue to operate illegally, waiting for the hammer to fall, while others such as Mother Blossom across the street have closed their doors.
Capitol Hill Corner asked Commissioner Mark Eckenweiler, Chair of ANC6C where the H Street businesses lie, for comment. Eckenweiler said, “”I welcome this decision by the ABC Board. The over-proliferation of illegal cannabis shops has had significant adverse impacts on the H Street corridor and nearby residents. I look forward to seeing additional enforcement action against these and other illegal cannabis sellers in the area.
Councilmember Charles Allen made these Board orders possible by pushing through Council legislation this spring to clarify and strengthen the agency’s enforcement authority. My constituents and I are deeply grateful for his timely and energetic efforts to address these important issues.”
Asked for comment, Allen told CHC: “I’m very pleased to see the ABCA Board take action. And they need to do more. I wrote the enforcement legislation that they’re now putting into action because while the District has created a thoughtful and successful pathway for licensed, regulated, and legal medical cannabis sales, those businesses that refuse to enter this legal market and continue to thumb their nose at the District’s laws cannot be allowed to continue illegally operating.”
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 