Monthly Archives: August 2025

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 24, 2025

Curious. Here’s a curious juxtaposition on the 1300 block of G Street, SE, just across from La Lomita.  The black building at 1322 G Street on the right is the proposed home of DC Garden Hill’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary.  The blue building next door is the home of the Fraternal Order of Police, U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee. 

ANC6B’s vote to support the application for a medical marijuana license from owner Mark Lumkpins, happened at a little-noticed meeting of ANC6B – an unusual make up meeting after the Commission ran out of time at the regularly scheduled June meeting.  In the aftermath, upset neighbors filed a protest but got lost in the hard-to-find procedures and the protest was ruled invalid.  We may not have heard the last of this. 

And in an entirely unrelated matter just down the block from DC Garden Hill’s proposed dispensary, MM2 LLC is erecting this apartment building, adding stories to a former one family home outside the Capitol Hill Historic District.  Design is being handled by MOREK Design. There are some similar apartment buildings in the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue across the street.  Something in the appearance of the buildings reminds CHC of the controversial apartments which were constructed on K Street south of Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 15th Streets which became an issue in the community back in 2024.

Interior:  Here’s a photo of the build-out on the yet-to-be-named sushi counter restaurant concept coming to 325 7th Street, SE, between Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant and Randolph Cree Hair Salon.

Interior:  Here’s a photo of the substantial progress being made on the interior of a Popeye’s returning to 409 8th Street, Barracks Row.  The Popeye’s restaurant previously at that location under another owner, closed in November 2021. 

Interior:  Less progress is evident in the buildout for the proposed Taco Bell next door at 411 8th Street, Barracks Row.

And last week saw progress on the construction of the Garfield/Canal Park Connector Project, adjacent to Garfield Park. 

The Week Ahead….

None of the political, community, or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner is meeting this week – except:

Tuesday, August 26

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

Here are some items of interest regarding upcoming events.

Dog Days of August – Jazz Series at Eastern Market – Every Friday evening in August, from 5pm – 7pm.  Under the Farmer’s Line Shed at Eastern Market. 

Dog Days of August is live jazz series every Friday evening in August.  Join your neighbors and enjoy a relaxed summer vibe with your favorite take-out from local restaurants, or bring your own.  As this event is outdoors, your four-legged friends are welcome to join as well!

  • Friday, August 28th with Capital Bop: Zoey Jorgenson

Soul Strolls 2025: Grave Robbing and Resurrection.  Sale of Congressional Cemetery Soul Stroll Tickets Starts This Week

K9 Corps members or donors who’ve given $250+ between Jan 1–Aug 24, 2025, can purchase up to four pre-sale tickets (VIP or General Admission) before the public.

  • Pre-Sale for K-9 Corps Members and Donors Opens: Aug 25 at 5pm
  • Public Sale Opens: Aug 27 at 5pm

On Fridays October 17, 24 and 31 and Saturdays, October 18, 21 and November 1m Congressional Cemetery revisits the history of the cemetery in twilight and darkness, immersed in vignettes of the lives of interred residents via our guided lantern tours.

“Unearth the dark tales of the cemetery’s residents, offering a window into a disturbing chapter of D.C.’s history.  Come and enjoy the captivating ambiance of an evening in the cemetery with live music, thematic cocktails, and witness history come alive as our skilled actors breathe life into these stories right where they rest.”

Support goes to helping keep Historic Congressional Cemetery a community sanctuary, place of remembrance, and historic landmark.

For more and to purchase tickers, go here:  https://congressionalcemetery.org/soul-strolls

Again: Congressional Cemetery October 12 Dead Man’s Run Tickets Now on Sale

“Dead Man’s Run is Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5K fundraiser race!  We hope that you will join us Sunday, October 12 at 5:30 PM for the region’s most death defying and thematic 5k race. This bare bones run is the best way to stay ahead of your grave… by running among them! The race starts inside the cemetery and continues onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun!

Please note, we raised the price of the race as a complimentary race shirt will now be included for all registrants who purchase a ticket by September 22!

Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best individual costume and best team costume! Form a team to compete with your friends – and we love to see creative team names.

Prizes will also be awarded to the top performing individuals, age groups, and best team time!

All proceeds from Congressional Cemetery events, including Dead Man’s Run, help support our 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark.”

Register here:  https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/DeadMansRun

Again: Tickets Now on Sale for Capitol Hill Restoration Society September Walking Tours

September 6                Alleys Part II

September 6                Notable People

September 7                One Block, Many Stories:  Building Capitol Hill

September 7                The Civil War and Before

For tickets ($15 per tour) go to Eventbrite here https://bit.ly/3JEdfWs

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Barracks Row BBQ Roadhouse To Open Next Year

The former Barracks Row Joey’s at 527 8th Street SE will become new Federalist Pig.

Barracks Row BBQ Roadhouse To Open Next Year

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 21, 2025

On Tuesday, the Washington Business Journal reported that restaurateur Steve Salis will open a Federalist Pig – a sister restaurant to his Adams Morgan barbeque place – on Barracks Row.  The location appears to be the former Barracks Row Joey’s (and before that Cava Mezze) at 527 Eighth Street, SE.  Salis acquired the property last year. 

Salis also owns Ted’s Bulletin on Barracks Row, Honeymoon Chicken, Kramers (formerly Kramerbooks & Afterwords), and Sidekick Bakery.  He also co-founded and later departed from &Pizza. 

WBJ reported that the new restaurant will be “more of an upscale culinary-forward roadhouse…featuring fish, steaks, chops, veggies” and more salads and sides.  Salis hopes for an opening by Labor Day, 2026.

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Everything CHC Knows About Enforcement-Involved Traffic Accident on Capitol Hill

Posted August 20, 2025

As the Associated Press is now reporting, a National Guard military vehicle t-boned a regular passenger car (an SUV) early this morning at the corner of 8th Street and North Carolina Avenue SE.

At her press conference this morning, Mayor Bowswer was asked about this incident and said that she did not yet know the details, but she understood that one person was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.

DC Fire and EMS update on this accident can be found on Twitter.

A vide of the immediate aftermath of this incident, orginally posted on Reddit, can be found here. According to a follow-up post on Instagram, the military vehicle involved in the crash is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (M-RAP) vehicle.

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The Response:  Local Opposition to The Occupation – Now Including National Guards from 6 States

Sunday, August 17, 11:30am on H Street, NE. Of all the federal law enforcement agents deployed on DC streets, the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) – which falls under the Department of Homeland Security – have garnered the most negative attention.  Masked ICE agents have executed aggressive enforcement actions and conducted many arrests.  Video credit: Nicky Sundt

The Response:  Local Opposition to The Occupation – Now Including National Guards from 6 States

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 19, 2025

Many readers of Capitol Hill Corner will be wondering how and where to invest their time and resources to respond to the Occupation of DC ordered by the Trump Administration.

This post, which will be updated, serves as a guide to local groups organizing on-the-ground actions designed to make visible and more effective the opposition of DC residents to the Trump Administration’s violation of DC Home Rule. 

Background

On August 11, the Trump Administration invoked a statutory emergency power and announced a takeover of the MPD in the District.  To augment this assertion of authority, the Administration deployed the DC National Guard as well as federal law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Included in that deployment was the Department of Homeland Security, under which falls the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.  Since the August 11 order, six other states have responded to DOD request to send National Guard personnel to DC, including Ohio, West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee, totaling more than 1000 troops. 

The Response

FreeDC has become the leading organization which is taking direct action to oppose the federalization of law enforcement and the deployment of National Guard to DC.

Free DC is a fiscally sponsored special project of Community Change, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and Community Change Action, a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization.

The organization has teams operating in all 8 Wards and has a long history of advocacy for DC Statehood and in 2023 organized a campaign in response to Congress’s overturning the DC Revised Criminal Code Act. In 2025 it organized the response to the House of Representative’s refusal to routinely authorize the city to spend $1 billion of its own revenue for city services during the remainder of the current fiscal year. 

Here are some of FreeDC’s recommendations about what to do to oppose the Occupation:

  • Organize:  Sign up with FreeDC. Visit FreeDC’s website for a calendar of events, a link to merch, and news.  Join specific campaigns and get involved.   https://freedcproject.org/    
  • Participate in FreeDC’s orientation presentations.  Get training.  Get educated.  Know your rights. 
  • Join the effort to lobby members of Congress in person, by email, or by phone.
  • Make FreeDC visible everywhere:  Make signs and posters – wear t shirts and buttons.  See FreeDC Official Merch here:  https://bit.ly/41b8LwO
  • Stay informed. Join the FreeDC communication network.
  • Urge residents and elected officials:  “Don’t obey in advance.”
  • Currently, FreeDC has no direct action planned.

Ward 6 Democrats have also launched several activities to respond to the gross violation of DC home rule, including:

  • Distributing info from the ACLU-DC, FreeDC, and the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network.
  • Urging residents to follow FreeDC’s suggested actions, including talking with your friends and family outside of DC and encouraging them to call their elected officials opposing the administration’s current efforts to take over law enforcement in the District.
  • Join the Monthly Statehood Committee Call on Wednesday, August 20.  The Statehood Committee will share the latest on what’s happening in our community, discuss what we can do and work on a plan for what to do next.
  • Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm

Location: Virtual, Zoom link provided upon registration

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/dcdems/event/829386/   

  • Join Ward 6 Democrats, which is free to any registered Democrat living in Ward 6. The organization does suggest a one-time donation of $51 or a monthly donation of $6. Go here:  https://www.ward6dems.org/

Resources to help keep you informed:

Some other organizations which have participated in public debates and/or offered support and advice include:

  • Defending Democracy/Capitol Hill Village
  • Neighbors United for DC Statehood
  • Ward Six Serve Your City Mutual Aid
  • ACLU-DC
  • DC Vote
  • Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network
  • Black Swan Academy
  • Vera Action 
  • Georgetown Juvenile Justice Clinic
  • DC Justice Lab 
  • Alliance for Concerned Men 

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The Week Ahead…(New Sushi Restaurant Coming Near Eastern Market) & Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…(New Sushi Restaurant Coming Near Eastern Market) & Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 17, 2025

A new sushi counter restaurant concept will open in the space at 325 7th Street, SE, between Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant and Randolph Cree Hair Salon.  The plans call for a sushi counter with fixed seating to run the length of the interior front of house area.  The space was formerly occupied by My Cake Theory and before that by the Dawn Price Baby store.  The build out is underway, but no estimate yet on how long it will take. 

August 14:  National Guard troops began 24-hour operations in DC, with a focus on areas like Union Station and the National Mall.

August 16:  Three states (West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio) pledged to send hundreds of National Guard troops to the city to assist with the federal crackdown (SC 200, Ohio 150, WVA 360).  A NG spokesman said “Guard members may (soon) be armed consistent with their mission and training.”

National Guardsmen probably just taking a break inside Union Station. 

Two National Guard personnel headed to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge.   

FreeDC has been active the past week. Here’s a photo from Eastern Market Metro Plaza Playground.

Go here for more:  https://freedcproject.org/news/dc-heres-what-were-gonna-do

Dog Days of August – Jazz Series at Eastern Market – Every Friday evening in August, from 5pm – 7pm.  Under the Farmer’s Line Shed at Eastern Market. 

Dog Days of August is live jazz series every Friday evening in August.  Join your neighbors and enjoy a relaxed summer vibe with your favorite take-out from local restaurants, or bring your own.  As this event is outdoors, your four-legged friends are welcome to join as well.

  • Friday, August 22nd: Herb Scott Trio
  • Friday, August 28th with Capital Bop: Zoey Jorgenson

The Week Ahead…

The Week Ahead…

None of the political, community, or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner is meeting this week. 

Here are some items of interest regarding upcoming precautions and events.

Resources to help keep you informed:

Know your rights with law enforcement: Free DC https://freedcproject.org/rights

Know your rights, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated: ACLU https://www.acludc.org/know-your-rights/

FAQs specific to homelessness and encampments: Office of the Attorney General https://oag.dc.gov/release/frequently-asked-questions-individuals-homeless

If you or a neighbor needs emergency shelter: 202-399-7093

Unhoused veterans: 202-745-3012

Youth and young adults: 202-547-7777

Additional help: Miriam’s Kitchen https://www.miriamskitchen.org/get-help-2/get-help/

Follow the local laws for marijuana use and consumption: ACLU of DC https://www.acludc.org/know-your-rights/

Get training from Free DC https://freedcproject.org/events

Congressional Cemetery October 12 Dead Man’s Run Tickets Now on Sale

“Dead Man’s Run is Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5K fundraiser race!  We hope that you will join us Sunday, October 12 at 5:30 PM for the region’s most death defying and thematic 5k race. This bare bones run is the best way to stay ahead of your grave… by running among them! The race starts inside the cemetery and continues onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun!

Please note, we raised the price of the race as a complimentary race shirt will now be included for all registrants who purchase a ticket by September 22!

Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best individual costume and best team costume! Form a team to compete with your friends – and we love to see creative team names.

Prizes will also be awarded to the top performing individuals, age groups, and best team time!

All proceeds from Congressional Cemetery events, including Dead Man’s Run, help support our 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark.”

Register here:  https://runsignup.com/Race/DC/Washington/DeadMansRun

Tickets Now on Sale for Capitol Hill Restoration Society September Walking Tours

September 6                Alleys Part II

September 6                Notable People

September 7                One Block, Many Stories:  Building Capitol Hill

September 7                The Civil War and Before

For tickets ($15 per tour) go to Eventbrite here https://bit.ly/3JEdfWs

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The Week Ahead…ZomTum Opens & Some Photos From Last Week

The Week Ahead…ZomTum Opens…& Some Photos From Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 10, 2025

Charles Kia’s New ZomTum Laos/Thai restaurant at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, near Eastern Market opened last Monday.  The space was formerly occupied by Joselito.  For more about the restaurant and to view the menu, go here:  https://zomtumdc.com/about

The Week Ahead…

None of the political, community, or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner is meeting this week.

One item of interest for the coming week:

Garfield Park- Canal Park Connector work begins on Monday, August 11, 2025.  The Garfield Park-Canal Park Connector Project will improve the DDOT Right of Way underneath I-695 that provides access between Garfield Park and Canal Park. It will provide a new ADA-compliant pedestrian path, drainage, and grading improvements.  Phase 1 of the work, located in the amenity area beneath the overpass will continue through January 2026.  During construction the site will be closed to pedestrian traffic.  A pedestrian detour will be in effect from the intersection of H Street SE and 2nd Street SE around Garfield Park using 3rd St SE & F St SE. The view shown above is the construction site seen from 2nd and H Street, SE, looking north into Garfield Park. To the left is the Virginia Avehue spur which deadends after a few hundred yards.

More of the Virginia Avenue spur – formerly the site of a homeless encampment which the city removed. The upgrade to the area under the bridge will incorporate the use of the area into the park. The upgrades will include repaving the existing skate park, the basketball court, and the new pickleball courts. 

Virginia Avenue deadends beyond the construction trailer visible in the photo. This will be the site of pickleball courts funded by the DDOT and Washington DC Pickleball.

Here’s the site of the formen basketball court.

Here’s a rendering of the new court.

Here’s a view of the site looking west. Last week, this space held around 30 giant stone blocks each weighing a few tons. They were salvaged from their original purpose when they formed the arched entryway to the origina CSX Railway Tunnel. Last week, they were removed to the vacant cornor in front of Blackbird Salon at Virginia Avenue and 8th Street, SE. It’s unclear what plans the city has for them.

And here’s a rendering of the new skatepark which will lie west of the basketball court.

This project is separate from but is being coordinated with the Department of Parks and Recreation’s just completed renovation of Garfield Park project.  Asphalt work and painting are weather dependent, necessitating a flexible timeline – the project could be completed as early as late Fall/early winter or as late at March 2026. 

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The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted August 3, 2025

The Mediterranean bakery House of Flatbreads (HOF) is coming to 1116 8th Street, across from the Capital Turnaround, formerly called The Blue Castle.  HOF is a carryout which features flatbreads from traditional savory such as the Labne Flatbread – see below. 

HOF has a sister carryout in Arlington.  Their website is under construction but you can get an idea of their offerings on FB https://bit.ly/4msHoq8 and Instagram https://bit.ly/4l6iDib   It’s not certain when they plan to open. 

Another one of Garfield Park’s century-old white swamp oaks has fallen. A large branch came down in the storm Friday night, July 25.  The tennis court fence was damaged as well a picnic table by the volleyball court. An arborist crew took the rest of the tree down on Monday.  Photo and text: Jan Schoonmaker.

Here’s another image of the ongoing renovation of SE Library, this one is of the berm skylight on the South Carolina Avenue side of the building which will light the children’s area on the lower level.  Photo:  DC Library

And here’s an image of construction workers who appear to be working on the skylight which will – by means of a central light well – illuminate all three floors of the library. 

The Week Ahead…

None of the political, community, or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner is meeting this week. 

One item of interest for the coming week:

Saturday, August 9

NE Library Book Sale Saturday-The Friends of the Southeast Library (FOSEL) together with the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) will hold a joint book sale this Saturday, July 9.  The sale will be at the Northeast Library at 7th & 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 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.

Proceeds benefit local libraries, especially the Southeast Library, the Northeast Library, and the DC Library.

Got the ability to recirculate this message on other lists? That would be much appreciated.

Questions? bob@bobgellman.com

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Finding Community in Pickleball – More than a Sport

Ruth Ellis, Washington DC Pickleball Ambassador. 

Rendering of some of the six pickleball courts which DDOT recently authorized for the Virginia Avenue spur under the freeway as part of the Garfield Park/Canal Park Connector Project.  Source:  DDOT

Finding Community in Pickleball – More than a Sport

by Larry Janezich

Posted, August 3, 2025

A sense of community doesn’t just happen – it comes from the contributions of individuals and social/civic organizations to their community. 

Washington DC Pickleball (WDCP) https://www.washingtondcpickleball.org/  is a community enriching endeavor that adherents find personally rewarding as well as a vehicle for creating and developing a network that unites its players across a broad swath of the city’s social fabric. 

In an interview with Ruth Ellis, Ambassador for WDCP, one word that keeps popping up is “community,” referring not only to the shared interest among players, but also to the reality that they are part of something larger than themselves. 

According to the website, “WDCP is a volunteer-led nonprofit that provides on-site equipment, balls, social events, promotional and charitable programs, and pickleball advocacy throughout Washington, DC.”  The organization advocates for, increases awareness of, and encourages active involvement in the sport.

As a WDCP Ambassador, Ellis and others have testified before the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) oversight hearing to push for city resources to further the organization’s intertwined vision and sports related goals.  

To illustrate the community benefits, she cites the organization’s community programming, including the success of the DC Jail Program.  Inspired by a Washington Post article https://wapo.st/3INlJdH about Roger BelAir bringing pickleball into prisons, WDCP proposed doing the same thing at DC Jail.  The DC Department of Corrections was enthusiastic about the proposal and weekly play began at the jail in April 2024. 

Ellis says, “The pickleball program is no cost to the jail so there’s no economic impact at all….The vast majority (of players) are going to be re-entering our civic life and our civic space and I think it’s safe to say everybody wants them to come home in a way that’s safe and positive and healthy for them and for their families and for their community and for the city.”

Buoyed by positive feedback on the program at DC Jail, Ellis says regarding the oversight hearings, “Testifying shows our commitment to the community – not just for ourselves, but for the broader community and what I’m trying to do now is to expand pickleball into the youth community because the youth community is having some problems that are having a severe impact on the city.  Pickleball is a great way to connect and show how you can treat other people with respect while you’re competing with them.”

As a new sport and one that is exploding in popularity, pickleball does not have as many resources as tennis.  Ellis says, “We don’t have a permanent net location so every time we go out to play pickleball we have to first of all find a place where we can play go out there, set up nets – do everything ourselves. I mean everything we do is volunteer.”

She says she is trying to fill that gap a little bit – “…which has been challenging – I’ve offered a series free coaching lessons at Anacostia Park.  We’ve had an event there on July 4th three years in a row and we have 60 to 80 people coming out to play pickleball.  About half of them are from DC east of the river and we had a big group that came from Prince Georges County.”  

WDCP’s 2024 Red White & Pickleball July 4th event at Anacostia Park.  Photo:  Ruth Ellis

Also, in partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the National Capital Area, DCPB hosted a sibling match event at Anacostia Park in October 2024.  Every participant learned to play pickleball in a 90-minute coaching session. 

Ellis says, “There’s nowhere else in the city where we could do this” but she adds, that next year the National Park Service will put in pickleball courts in the park.  

In answer to what kind of assistance from the city she seeks, she said, “DC DPR does not currently have any youth pickleball programming and “We don’t have courts – we don’t have time in the DPR’s recreational schedule.”

She envisions more sports programming in collaboration with the city…”I’d like to partner with the city and help support programming for pickleball.  We want pickleball to be more of a regular sport than it is.  Tennis players don’t have to fight to get a court built in their community – they just build tennis courts – and we want the same thing for pickleball.”

Ellis sees signs of hope and progress – DDOT has issued permits for construction of six permanent pickleball courts as part of the Garfield Park Connector Project.  All funds to pay for the court construction will come from WDCP’s fund raising efforts and the player community.  The Capitol Riverfront BID will hold the permit and manage the funds for Garfield courts.  WDCP will manage day to day operations including setting hours, permitting, and events, with sign off from the Capitol Riverfront Parks Foundation to ensure courts are sufficiently publically accessible.  The project is weather dependent so the projected completion date could be as early as fall of 2025 or as late as spring, 2026. 

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