The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 22, 2025

Update on Rumsey Court – A second story for the Rumsey Aquatic Center is now in the plans for the proposed modernization of the facility, according to a DC Parks and Recreation (DPR) document distributed at last Monday night’s meeting of ANC6B’s Parks and Public Spaces Task Force chaired by Commissioner Jerry Sroufe.  The second story will accommodate a community center focused on senior services.  A community meeting where the latest design will be made public has not yet been scheduled. 

After proffering a plan with no second story earlier this year, CM Charles Allen prompted DPR and the Department of General Services to re-think their approach and they are now negotiating the incorporation the second story into the design.  The Center is a popular District asset, offering 100 plus aquatic programs for a high number of participants.  $37,021,066 has been budgeted for the project in DC’s Capital Budget, meaning it is protected from funding cuts the Mayor being forced to impose on the city’s Operational Budget because Congress has failed to authorize DC to spend its own tax revenues for the balance of the FY.

Ward 6 Budget Town Hall Meeting.  On Tuesday evening, CM Charles Allen hosted a Ward 6 Town Hall on the Budget at Hill Center.  More than 70 residents – many of them first-time Town Hall Budget attendees – showed up for the meeting.  Allen said the council has finished oversight hearings on the budget which now awaits committee votes on the programs within their jurisdiction.  The budget will then go to the full council for consideration.  Go here to watch the full Town Hall presentation on FB: https://bit.ly/4njELbw

Beuchert’s Saloon Has Been Sold.  Coldwell Banker listed the property for $2.3 million and a sold notice recently appeared on the site.  Here’s a link to real estate broker’s listing:  https://bit.ly/4eeIjaw  No word on what might occupy the building or the first floor retail, but the listing’s description suggests the property will be delivered with the restaurant intact.  Prior to Beuchert’s, the space had been occupied by the Capitol Hill Art and Frame Shop.  EaterDC recently reported that the restaurant closed in early June after 13 years:  https://bit.ly/44iNl1p

The 48^th Annual Peterbug Day.  Last Saturday, Peterbug Matthews presided over his 48^th Annual Peter Bug Day.  It was the 48^th annual celebration of Peter Bug Day and the 50^th Anniversary of the Peter Bug Shoe Academy.  The lifelong Capitol Hill resident and community advocate is a Capitol Hill legend, having used the shoe repair trade to mentor and guide community youth for decades.  The 400 block of 13^th Street, SE, was named Peterbug Matthews Way in 2010.  In 2015, when the former historic Buchanan School/IGU site was developed into townhouses and condos, the site of Peterbug Matthews Shoe Academy which sat on city property as did the school, was grandfathered into the development site and preserved. 

The Original Last Run of the Fire House Horses.  Last Sunday, the DC Fire Department conducted a reenactment of the Ceremonial Last Run of the Fire House Horses.  The date marked the one hundred anniversary of the original Last Run to commemorate the service of the fire horses.  The reenactment started at the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center, the site of the former Capitol Hill Firehouse, and proceeded east on North Carolina Avenue, SE, and ended at Lincoln Park.  Here’s a Library of Congress photo of the Engine No. 8 Firehouse that stood on the site of what is now Rumsey Aquatic Court.  Photo Source:  Mark Eckenwiler.

And here’s a photo of the original last run: The Last Run of Barney, Gene, and Tom, District, Fire Department Horses, June 15, 1925.  Photo Source:  Mark Eckenwiler.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, June 23

ANC6B Public Safety Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 6:30pm. 

Physical Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE, 2nd Floor (Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)

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

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6A Community Outreach 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 agenda:

• Announcements and Reminders: People’s Front of H Street, Sunday Clean-ups in 6A01.
• H Street Main Street (HSMS) Requesting a Letter of Support for an upcoming application to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Public Art Building Communities (PABC) grant.
• Open Streets Volunteering.

Tuesday, June 24

ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting to set the agenda for the full Commission meeting on July 8. 

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

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/

Agenda: 

• Discussion of the renewal of a Class C multipurpose license with Cover Charge Dancing, Entertainment, and Summer Garden endorsements at Gallery O on H at 1354 H Street, NE.
• Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license at Tiffany’s Bar and Bistro at 709 H Street, NE.
• Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café endorsements at Fresca Taqueria 701 H Street, NE.
• Discussion of the application for a retail Class B Beer and Wine at B & B Convenience and More at 1447 Maryland Avenue, NE.
• Discussion of the application for a medical cannabis license at Proper Exotic at 313 8th Street, NE.

Thursday, June 26

ANC6C Grants Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.  .

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

Agenda:  TBA

Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You To Know About

Saturday, June 28:  Open Streets Comes to Capitol Hill – 7:00am – 3:00pm.

• Location: North Carolina Avenue SE, East Capitol Street, and Massachusetts Avenue SE from 6th Street SE to 17th Street SE  Road Closure: Saturday, June 28th from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• One mile of neighborhood streets will be closed to vehicles to allow people to safely walk, run, bike, and play.
• Open Streets will include hourly programmed classes and performances, including live music, yoga, dancing, etc.   The event is free and suitable for all ages and abilities.

For morel including details on entertainment and classes, go here:  https://openstreets.dc.gov/pages/spring-2025

Thursday, June 26:  Global Sounds on the Hill featuring Qais Essar & Sonny Singh: Sangat.  7:00pm – 9:00pm.  $20  Register here: https://bit.ly/45BcgiW

• Afghan American rabab virtuoso Qais Essar has joined forces with Sikh American trumpet player and singer Sonny Singh, which obliterates musical, political, and religious boundaries. 

Friday, June 27:  JUNO-Nominated Nova Scotian Powerhouse Duo Cassie and Maggie in Concert.  7:00 pm – 9:00pm.  $20  Register here:  https://bit.ly/4eeNmaY

• Committed to preserving and propelling Nova Scotia’s folk traditions into new realms, Cassie and Maggie bring an energy that is both timeless and irresistibly modern.