The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted November 17, 2024

The Folger is set to open the Quill and Crumb Café at the end of this week.  Last Tuesday night, Ruth Taylor Kidd, Chief Financial Officer of the Folger Shakespeare Library, told ANC6B that the long-awaited café would open “the end of next week.”  She appeared before the Commission to support the Folger’s request for expanded hours for the café’s sale of alcohol – which the ANC susequently supported.  For their teaser menu (no prices), go here: https://qr.ourmenu.io/FSLquillandcrumb  

Quill & Crumb is located in the Folger’s historic Great Hall.  Seating will be offered in three zones across the Great Hall, including tables and banquettes for leisurely lunches, a middle area with high-top tables for enjoying coffee or a quick snack, and a lounge area catering to socializing over drinks or a light bite before a performance in Folger Theatre.  For more on the Quill and Crumb, go here:  https://www.folger.edu/visit/folger-cafe-quill-crumb/      

Ms. Kidd also discussed plans for an outdoor café opening next spring.  The café would be located on the plinth facing East Capitol and include tables and seating in the lower gardens.

Last Thursday, landscape contractors were decorating “Big George” on Eastern Market Metro Plaza for the Holiday Season.  The annual lighting of the tree and the celebration of the coming holiday season will be on Saturday, November 23, at 5:30pm.  More on this later. 

New Restaurant Coming to Mass Ave. NE – Last Wednesday, ANC6C considered the liquor application for a new restaurant – Willow Tree – at 303 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, adjacent to Pupatella.  Willow Tree will be a “Boutique Tea Bar, Cafe and Event Space.”  The commission will require a signed Settlement Agreement governing issues such as hours of operation and trash removal before supporting the application for the license. – which seems likely to happen.   The build out is underway but it looks like the opening is months away. For more, go here:  https://www.willowtreeteas.com/

Also – A New Medical Cannabis Application for Mass Ave. NE –  More problematic than Willow Tree’s liquor license application, KAL LLC wants to open up a medical cannabis outlet across the street at 312 Massachusetts Avenue, next to Bistro Cacao.  Some ANC6C Commissioners expressed unhappiness about another weed dealer coming to the block but there’s probably not much justification for protesting the application. 

Actually, the real problem might be for that other dealer – Flowerz – an apparently illegal shop at 318 Mass Avenue.  DC regulations prohibit a medical cannabis store from operating within 400 feet of another cannabis outlet.  It doesn’t seem that Flowerz has applied for a license and KAL LLC has.  This may pose an existential crisis for the former. 

Here’s Triple Candies’ November exhibit in the space in front of the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Triple Candie is a research-oriented curatorial agency run by art historian co-founders Shelly Bancroft and Peter Nesbett.  Their purpose is to create alternative exhibition methods making that the object of critical focus rather than what is displayed (which for the most part does not include original artworks).

The Week Ahead….

Monday, November 18

ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Committee will hold an in person meeting at 7:00 pm.

Location:  700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, 2nd floor, Conference Room #3.   Use the lobby entrance adjacent to Trader Joe’s.

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Finding Shade – CM Allen has introduced legislation that would combine the need for additional shade in the children’s park (north side) of the Eastern Market Metro Park with solar panels.  The Committee might recommend that the ANC6B send a letter to Council members indicating support for the bill.
• Park Manager(s) – No visible progress has been made in issuing the RFP for a Park Manager for Eastern Market Metro Park.  The Committee might ask that the Chair (or a volunteer!) prepare a query to CM Charles Allen about the status of the project on behalf of the Committee.
• Disappearing Chairs and Tables from Eastern Market Metro Park – The “moveable” chairs and tables that were a feature of the park have largely been removed.  What is planned to replace and secure the park furniture?  (Replacement and maintenance funds are not included in the capitol budget that creates a park.)
• The Proposed Natatorium Community Meetings – A representative of DGS has reached out to us and indicated that there would be community meetings beginning in the fall of 2024.  The Taskforce might ask that a representative of DPR, the agency tasked with hosting the community meetings, to meet with ANC6B to discuss their schedule for hosting the community meetings, and asking how the ANC can be helpful.
• Noise Pollution – Amplified Sound Abatement Act of 2024 has been introduced by Council Members Nadeau, Bonds, Pinto and Mendelson and a hearing has been held.  If and when this bill will be considered by the Council?  The PPS Taskforce might call on the ANC6B to communicate its support for the legislation and to urge action by the Council.
• New Streatery Regulations –  New regulations will be considered by the DC Public Space Committee prior to our ANC6B Commission Meeting. Therefore, our Committee action is limited to providing individual testimony on behalf of the Committee at the PSC meeting on December 4. (The 6B Transportation Committee is interested in this topic also – it is regulated by DDOT.)  Do we favor the recommendations?  Do we wish to communicate our support to members of the ANC and DC Public Space Committee?  Or do we consider that ANC6B action is sufficient?

ANC 6B Library Taskforce will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm. 

The in-person meeting will be on the second floor of 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE – use the lobby entrance adjacent to Trader Joe’s.

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

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• Update on the renovation of SE Library by DCPL’s Jaspreet Pahwa & Whiting-Turner’s Terri Bosnick.
• Continuing issues regarding the Arthur Capper interim library, especially to plan distribution of the Taskforce flyer to promote the interim library, and to plan the Taskforce meeting with staff for CM Charles Allen.

ANC6D Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/anc6d-transportation-committee/

Among items on the draft agenda:  TBA

Tuesday, November 19

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:  TBA

Thursday, November 21

Eastern Markect Community Advisory Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here: TBA

Agenda: TBA

RESCHEDULED FROM LAST WEEK ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Community Presentation – Lead Free DC (LFDC) – Sean Moore, Communications Manager, Lead Free DC (Contractor)

Consent Agenda:

• Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Recommendation: ANC 6A sign a letter of support for the substantial change to the Class C tavern license at Dirty Water, 816 H Street NE.

Plenary Session: 

• Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Recommendation: ANC6A protest the application for a new Class C restaurant license with sidewalk café, alcohol carry out and delivery endorsements at Alero H Street at 1301 H Street NE (ABRA-130290) unless a settlement agreement is reached and that Mr. Lockett represent ANC 6A in negotiations.
• Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Recommendation: ANC6A protest the application for a new Class C restaurant license with sidewalk café, entertainment, and cover charge endorsement at DC Capitol Square Bar and Grill at H Street at 14021 H Street NE unless a settlement agreement is reached and that Mr. Lockett represent ANC 6A in negotiations.

New Business

• Suggested Motion:  ANC 6A write a letter to the Mayor, City Manager, the Directors and Deputy Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR} and the Department of General Services (DGS), and the City Council inquiring: 1) Why the work on capital improvements of various outdoor space at Sherwood has not begun as scheduled; 2) Why routine maintenance to repair dangerous failures in the recently replaced playground surface have not been made; 3) Why the recumbent swing has not been replaced months after being removed; 4) Why Sherwood seems to be excluded from special programming such as movies, holiday events, etc. frequently offered at other sites; 5) Why congregating with alcohol and drug consumption is allowed on the recreational center property on a continuing basis; and 6) What are the plans and timelines for addressing the above five issues.
• Suggested Motion: ANC 6A authorize Commissioner Dave Wethington or EDZ Co-Chairs Joal Mendonsa or Michael Cushman to testify to the DC Council Committee of the Whole regarding B25-1003: 2024 Vacant to Vibrant Act.
• Single Member District reports (2 minute each) Community Comments (2 minutes each).

ANC6D Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/abc-committee/

Among item on the draft agenda:  TBA

***

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Brent Elementary Holiday Greenery Sale Being Held from December 5th- 8th

The Brent Elementary School Parent Teacher Association will hold its 14th annual Holiday Sale from December 5th- 8th.  Proceeds are used to provide critical resources to students at this public elementary school on Capitol Hill.

Fraser fir trees, greenery, Hanukkah items, and more are available for presale until December 3rd at www.brentholidaysale.org .  In addition to trees the outdoor on-lot sale will include wreaths, garland, poinsettias, winterberry, and Hanukkah items. All customers will also have the popular option to have their trees delivered on the day of purchase and the option for in-home setup.

For more info, go here:  https://bit.ly/4fSLKTV

Tuesday, November 19

Hill Center Event – The Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture – 7:00pm.

The Trust for the National Mall presents the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture.  The focus of this year’s lecture is the future of the National Mall and Tidal Basin.  Despite their storied place in the national imagination, the Mall and Tidal Basin are very much at risk. The land is unstable, there is daily flooding, and the infrastructure is crumbling, according to the Trust for the National Mall.  The event is free and open to the public.

The Dick Wolf Memorial Lecture is named for the Hill resident, city planner and activist who championed historic preservation.   The lecture series showcases excellence in urban planning and historic preservation in DC.  A champagne reception will follow the presentation. 

Wednesday, November 20

Library of Congress Fall Concert.  8:00pm. 

The Danish String Quartet performs works by Haydn, Mozart and Stravinsky to frame pieces written more than three centuries years earlier by the blind Irish harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan. Capping their concert is Franz Schubert’s transcendental last quartet. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.  Reserve tickets here.  https://www.loc.gov/item/event-414041/danish-string-quartet/2024-11-20/

Friday, November 22

Library of Congress Fall Concert.  8:00pm. 

 “Max Roach at 100: Tyshawn Sorey Trio + Sandbox Percussion.”  In this special double-bill concert celebrating the legacy of drummer and composer Max Roach, The Tyshawn Sorey Trio and Sandbox Percussion will each play sets inspired by legendary recordings of Roach and his collaborators. After a break, the groups will join forces to perform a new work by 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tyshawn Sorey, co-commissioned by the Library. Pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.  Reserve tickets here.  https://www.loc.gov/item/event-414044/max-roach-at-100-tyshawn-sorey-trio-+-sandbox-percussion/2024-11-22/

Saturday, November 23

Eastern Market Metro Plaza – 5:30pm. – annual lighting of the Holiday Tree on the Eastern Market Metro Plaza. l Concert.  8:00pm.