Charles Kia, the owner of the popular Haad Thai restaurant at 1100 New York Avenue, NW, (which closed in October 2024 after 30 years) is opening a new restaurant at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, near Eastern Market. The space was formerly occupied by Joselito. Kia said the restaurant closed after being unable to renegotiate a new lease with the landlord.
ZomTum – which translates to “papaya salad” names the new restaurant and the concept, variations of which will characterize the menu.
Kia told Capitol Hill Corner that he had been looking for a place to open near Eastern Market for 15 years and found that the space was available and leased it. He will make some cosmetic changes inside and hopes to open in July.
Here’s FreeDC continuing its unrelenting campaign calling out House Speaker Mike Johnson for failing to pass the Senate-passed bill to allow DC to spend its own money to continue essential city services until the end of the fiscal year. For more, go here: https://freedcproject.org/news/dc-wants-our-money-mike
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) currently features two temporary exhibits. First is the exhibit Uncanny – now through August 10, 2025. From the website: “A concept popularized by Sigmund Freud in 1919, the uncanny describes the psychological experience of something that is strangely familiar, yet alien, eliciting a sense of anxiety.”
Louise Bourgeois’ Untitled (with foot), 1989. The juxtaposition of a baby’s foot beneath a sphere could speak to the duality and interconnection of the wonder and trauma of birth. (One reason artists decide not to title works is to allow the vieerw to bring their own interpretation.)
Leonara Carrington’s The Palmist, 2010, is a fantastical figure of an animal/human hybrid reflecting the artist’s interest in animals, myth and symbolism. A palmist interprets the lines on a palm for insights on a person’s character and future. In this sculpture, the hands of the palmist appear to do the interpreting.
Also featured at NMWA is the exhibit Guerilla Girls, now through September 28, 2025. The art cooperative Guerilla Girls has been making text-based art since 1985.
Their subject in the late 1980s was inequality, and their message was feminism. Women in America Earn only 2/3 of What Men Do, from the series, “Guerilla Girls Talk Back: The First Five years, 1985 – 1990.
Works from the 1990’s onward broadened the scope of the cooperative to include politics, pop culture, reproductive rights, and the environment.
Recommendation: ANC 6A take no action on the following:
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Maketto, 1351 H Street NE .
Renewal of a Class C multipurpose license with at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Stable, 1324 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsements at Taqueria al Lado H, 809 12th Street NE.
Renewal of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license at Milk and Honey Café, 1116 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment sidewalk cafe and summer garden endorsements at Bens Chili Bowl/Bens Next Door/Ben’s Upstairs, 1001 H Street NE.
Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsement at Pascual 732 Maryland Avenue NE.
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with cover charge and entertainment endorsements at The Upper Room, 1360 H Street NE unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and sidewalk endorsements at Choongman, 1125 H Street NE
Transportation and Public Space Committee
Recommendation: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT requesting a comprehensive traffic study of the neighborhood street grid bounded by 10th and 13th Streets NE and Maryland Avenue and Florida Avenue NE.
Plenary Session:
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee.
Recommendation: ANC6A protest the Renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment endorsement at Lydia’s Restaurant and Lounge at 1427 H Street NE and that Commissioner Velasquez seek enforcement information from ABCA.
New Business:
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council and the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) to provide ABCA the authority to release to ANC Commissioners the contact info for owners of establishments seeking to renew an alcoholic beverage or medical cannabis license.
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council, the Directors of the Department of Building (DOB), the Bureau of Zoning Authority (BZA) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), asking for an explanation of why residents of large buildings, with more than X units, that do not have adequate parking for residents, as determined by a ratio of X/Y spaces per apartment, are currently allowed to obtain a Resident Parking Permit (RPP) stickers. Previously, residents of buildings without adequate parking were denied RPP stickers. Also, residents of buildings with addresses on commercial streets were not allowed RPP stickers. The Council et. al. is asked to clarify the status of these previous restrictions and reinstate them if not currently in effect.
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
ANC6D will hold a Special In-Person Meeting at 6:00pm at the Southwest Library, 900 Wesley Pl SW.
Agenda: To hear resident views and to further consider ANC recommendations for DDOT’s 2025 TOPP (Traffic Operations and Parking Plan) for handling traffic problems produced by Nationals Park and Audi Field.
ANC6D Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Tuesday, May 6 – MPD Public Safety Meeting at Stuart Hobson School – 410 E Street, NE – 6:00pm – 7:15pm.
MPD invites the community to a hybrid (in-person and virtual) Public Safety Meeting. MPD wants to know your feelings on community safety, security, and policing From the invitation: “We are present to listen and respond.”
Osgemeos – The Endless Story – is an on-going exhibit on the entire 3rd floor of the Hirshhorn Museum which continues through August 3. Osgemeos means “the twins” in Portuguese and refers to two twin brothers, Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, who collaborate making art. The exhibit – their most ambitious ever –is an astonishing explosion of creativity. Its 1,000 or so pieces, span decades and stem from their lives and work growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
They work in paint, sculpture, drawing, photography, installations, fabric, video, music, light, found objects, and color.
Much of the work references Tritrez, a surreal and mystical universe they invented and continue to explore.
Here’s another image from Tritrez.
The Moon Room installation is a room created especially for the Hirshhorn exhibit. This is a view looking through one of the windows. A sense of dreamy intimacy is heightened by a thrilling operatic aria soundtrack drawing the real world into a fantastic one.
Behind you as you look in the window is a floor to ceiling fantasy image.
Here’s a video of a piece titled Zoetrope, from 2014 – an actual handmade giant zoetrope – shown in operation in the video – which delights and creates a sense of wonder about the conceptualization and construction of the piece.
Tuesday, FreeDC demonstrates an “Unwelcome Back” to Congress for failure to authorize DC to spend its own revenue. See details under “Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:”
Tuesday, Forum on the RFK Stadium Site at the Hill Center. (Mayor Bowser and the Commaders will announce on Monday the details of a deal to build a new stadium at RFK per WaPo.) See details under “Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:”
Monday, April 28, 2025
ANC6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. pm
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment endorsement at Lydia’s Restaurant and Lounge at 1427 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with cover charge endorsement at The Upper Room 1360 H Street, NE
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Maketto 1351 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C multipurpose license with at Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment and summer garden endorsements at Stable 1324 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsements at Taqueria al Lado H 809 12th Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with entertainment and sidewalk endorsements at Choongman 1125 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license at Milk and Honey Cafe 1116 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with dancing entertainment sidewalk cafe and summer garden endorsements at Bens Chili Bowl/Bens Next Door/Ben’s Upstairs 1001 H Street, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class C restaurant license with sidewalk cafe endorsement at Pascual 732 Maryland Avenue, NE.
Discussion of the renewal of a Class D restaurant license with summer garden endorsements at Whole Foods Market 600 H Street, NE.
Wednesday, April 30
RESCHEDULED April 2025 ANC6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
FreeDC Event, Tuesday, April 29, 8:30am – 11:00am.
Unwelcome Back Congress – gather in the Spirit of Justice Park on the South side of the Longworth House Office Building. “The House returns from recess on Tuesday and we want to make sure they know DC wants our money unfrozen…We start with a training and practice session from 8:30-9:00 AM which everyone is encouraged to attend.”
Petition Supporting a Second Story for Rumsey Aquatic Center
CM Charles Allen is circulating a petition to garner support for a redesign of the proposed plans for a new Rumsey Aquatic Center that would include a second floor for a senior center and other amenities.
Allen says, “While neighbors have said they want a second story – and I funded $15 million more specifically to add one – DGS and DPR did not include a second floor in their first design concepts presented to the community last month. They’ve gone back to the drawing board now, and this petition will help send a message to honor the original plan. The more neighbors we have sharing your voices, the better. Please sign the letter and share it with your friends who love Rumsey and want to see a redesign that meets the community’s needs.”
Forum on the RFK Stadium Site – Tuesday, April 29, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE).
No Billionaires Playground/Homes Not Stadiums is holding this community forum (dinner provided) to hear from residents & experts on the real economics behind an NFL stadium and to share a vision for how RFK could be developed to enrich the community.
DC is reportedly close to a deal with the Commanders to build a new stadium to replace RFK Stadium. The deal reportedly could cost DC taxpayers up to $1 billion in public funds for supporting infrastructure and associated financing costs – according to Council Chair Phil Mendelson. No Playground for Billionaires – an organization which opposes using public funds for a new stadium – is hosting a public forum at Hill Center on Tuesday, April 29. See below under “Capitol Hill Corner Would also like you to know about:” for more information.
Here are some photos of Saturday’s DPW Free Special Waste Collection Event at RFK Stadium Parking Lot Number 3. DPW organizes the event which brings together organizations which collect hazardous waste, recycle electronics, and shredded paper. The next scheduled Special Waste Collection Event is on Thursday, June 26, at 10:00am at the same location. For more information and to register for a timed entry, go here: https://bit.ly/3GjSlug
Drivers queued up on 22nd Street NE and turned right onto East Capitol to access Parking Lot #3. The timed entry made the line manageable and it moved quickly. After showing their DC driver’s license participants are directed to one or more of the three collection points where employees unload vehicles. The whole process takes around 30 minutes from the time you join the queue.
Electronics.
Hazardous waste.
Paper shredding.
Easter Sunday Morning near Eastern Market: Here’s a photo of café society on 7th Street SE, circa 10:30am.
The Week Ahead…
MONDAY April 21
ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:30pm.Note new time.
Government Announcements (Executive and Legislative Branch).
DDOT briefing on final design of approach bridges to 14th Street (informational).
Consent Agenda 1. Approve Amazon-AF Ride May 31, 2. March for Babies May 3.
ABC Matters
Shall the ANC comment on a Modification without a Hearing for 2121 1st Street?
Shall the ANC support developers’ request for a 2-year extension of PUD for 807 Maine?
SMD Updates
Chairperson’s Report
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event – Tuesday, April 29 – 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Forum on future of RFK Stadium sponsored by No Billionaires Playground’ Homes Not Stadiums.
No Billionaires Playground/Homes Not Stadiums” is holding a community forum (dinner provided) to hear from residents and experts on the economics behind an NFL stadium and to share a vision for how RFK could be developed to enrich the community.
Petition Supporting a Second Story for Rumsey Aquatic Center
CM Charles Allen is circulating a petition to garner support for a redesign of the proposed plans for a new Rumsey Aquatic Center that would include a second floor for a senior center and other amenities. Here’s a link to the councilmember’s website which has a link to the petition. https://www.charlesallenward6.com/
“Sign My Petition to DPR! Rumsey Pool Needs a Second Story – Rumsey Aquatic Center is a beloved community asset in the heart of Capitol Hill. It’s also one of the most heavily used Department of Parks and Recreation facilities in the District, and it’s sorely in need of modernization.”
Hill Center Event – Thursday, April 24 – 7:00pm – 9:00pm – $10.00 – In Person
Atlantic Journalist Yoni Applebaum Discusses his new Book STUCK in Conversation with New York Times Writer Binyamin Appelbaum
According to ANC6B Commissioner David Sobelsohn, the DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) today dismissed the application for a medical marijuana license by Aloha/Tobacco King at 539 8th Street, SE, the former location of La Vagna restaurant.
Sobelsohn reported that the applicants failed to show up at today’s ABCA Roll Call Hearing at which those protesting the license have an opportunity to explain their opposition. Opponents, on the other hand, did show up, and they included Sobelsohn, ANC Commissioners Sam Pastore and Anna Krebs, ANC6B’s ABCA Committee chair Ellen Opper-Weiner, and District Montessori director Anjelina Keating.
Sobelsohn said “Tobacco King’s application troubled not only my constituents who live close to that location, but also troubled several important nearby 7th Street, SE, institutions that have programs for children: the Montessori School, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, & the Mormon Church. Our ANC had made very clear to the applicant that our community was united in opposing a cannabis retailer so close to our children. Thankfully, Tobacco King got the message. No one attended the hearing for Aloha/Tobacco King. As a result, ABCA dismissed the application. For the time being at least, we need not worry about a cannabis retailer so close to our children.”
Aloha was intended to be an upstairs cannabis retail space owned by Tobacco King, a tobacco/smoke shop on the first floor. There has been evidence that Tobacco King was dispensing cannabis in anticipation of receiving a license legalizing the operation. The application was been opposed at the ANC Committee level as well as by the full ANC since it would permit Aloha to operate as a dispensary within 400 feet of a school, which is banned by city statute.
Sunday morning, Congressional Cemetery sponsored its annual Cherry Blossom 5K. Some 900 runners participated in the run this year. All proceeds from the race go to furthering the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery’s non-profit mission, including environmental preservation. Here are some post-race photos from where the race started and finished near the center of the cemetery.
CHC asked Association interim Executive Director, A.J. Orlikoff to comment on the Cherry Blossom 5K: “We started doing this race last year for the first time because we just care so much about our environment … it’s just such a core part of our mission to be an urban oasis. It’s a place for people to come to be a part of nature and to get connected to an outdoor space and really bring back cemeteries to what they used to be – a place for people to gather. We were overwhelmed by the level of support we had – over 900 runners registered this year. Last year we had about 500 – so pretty much almost double.
The Yoshino blossoms have come and are mostly gone, but the Kwanzan cherry trees blossomed to celebrate the spring and framed the roads inside the cemetery.
Later, on Sunday afternoon, local author, historian and tour guide Robert Pohl led a tour of some of the cemetery’s known and one of its unknown gravesites. At a stop at J. Edgar Hoover’s grave, Pohl recounted Hoover’s birth in a house near Seward Square on Capitol Hill on the site of what is now Capitol Hill United Methodist Church. A stained glass window in the church is dedicated to him. After 11 years in the post, Hoover became instrumental in founding the FBI in June 1935, where he remained as director for an additional 37 years until his death in May 1972
Nearby is the grave of Hoover’s colleague and protégé Clyde Tolson. Tolson was the second-ranking official of the FBI from 1930 until 1972. After Hoover’s death in 1972, Tolson was acting director for a brief period until J. Patrick Gray became acting director. Tolson retired the following day and was succeeded by Mark Felt – who was later revealed to be the Deep Throat of the Watergate scandal, reportedly after later being passed over for the top FBI job.
Here’s a photo of the grave site of “Mayor Marion “Mayor for Life” Barry’s.
And here’s a photo of the federally-ordered unmarked grave of David Herold in the Herold family plot. Herold was the accomplice in the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln who accompanied John Wilkes Booth on the latter’s 12 day attempt to reach Richmond following the assassination. Surrounded by federal troops in a Virginia tobacco barn, Herold surrendered, but Booth was killed. Herold was from a financially well off family who lived in a large house on the east side of what is now Barracks Row, near G Street. After his execution, the federal government officials released the body to the family for burial with the proviso that his grave would not marked.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, April 14
ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Lincoln Park Task Force – 6A and 6B drafted a letter to DDOT requesting a traffic study of this area.
14th & A/Ames Streets – ANC 6A sent a letter to DDOT requesting traffic calming on this stretch of 14th Street NE.
500 and 600 blocks of 10/11/12/13th Streets. Issues with speeding cars down the hills on these blocks. 12th & E Streets NE is considered for “future consideration.”
New Business.
15th & Ames Place NE was part of Q3 prioritization and is under investigation by DDOT.
13th & Linden Streets NE is part of Q3 prioritization and is under investigation by DDOT.
Notice of intent: Installation of Residential Parking Permit zones on 200 and 500 blocks of 15th Street NE.
ANC6B April Parks & Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00pm.
This meeting will be held 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
1355-1359 H Street, NE. To combine five lots (2 facing H street NE, 3 facing alley) and convert to a retail and eating and drinking establishment use an existing, semi-detached, mixed use building. Special Exception: minimum vehicle parking requirements, rear yard requirements, eating and drinking establishment use requirements, and fast food establishment use requirements. Area Variance: The floor area ratio requirements.
New Business
917 Constitution Avenue, NE. To construct a second story addition to a detached garage, in the rear of an existing, attached, two-story plus cellar. Special Exception: lot occupancy requirements and accessory building expansion requirements
901 H Street, NE. Informational presentation for proposed fast casual restaurant.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event. Tuesday, April 15. 7:00pm – 9:00pm. $20.00
Global Sounds on the Hill featuring Latin Music Sextet Las Guaracheras. Las Guaracheras is a powerful Latin Music sextet from Cali, Colombia that performs Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as salsa, as well as music from the Pacific region of Colombia. Their compositions and lyrics revolve around the re-vindication and recognition of the role of women in the music industry – especially in the Latin Music scene in Colombia – and seek to express the power and strength of women as sources of love, hope, resilience and creativity.
Folger Theater Event. Saturday, April 19. Starts at 11:00am. Free.
Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration. Through performance, poetry, song, dance, scholarship, and history, the birthday celebration showcases the breadth of the Folger’s offerings as a cultural organization. The party to celebrate the playwright’s 461st year will kick off when the Folger opens at 11am on Saturday, April 19, and conclude that evening with the annual Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture, given this year by the Folger’s recently appointed director, Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper.
On Friday, ANC6B followed through on the commission’s unanimous vote last Tuesday to send a letter to the Directors of the DC Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), requesting a restart on the design of the Rumsey project.
The tone of the letter was more diplomatic than a letter from Eastern Market Main Street which characterized the designs put forward by DPR/DGS as “a disappointing lack of imagination and or understanding of the rare opportunity this redevelopment project offers the city.” See here: https://bit.ly/43A2b4Q
Here’s the full text of the ANC’s email:
April 11, 2025
Thennie Freeman, Director, DPR;
Delano Hunter, Director, DGS
Ward 6 Councilman, Charles Allen,
VIA EMAIL:thennie.freeman@dc.gov; delano.hunter@dc.gov; callen@dccouncil.gov
Re: Requesting a Restart for Rumsey Aquatic Center Rebuilding
This letter requests a restart in planning for the Rumsey Aquatic Center and explains
why a restart is necessary.
Most are familiar with the Sesame Street jingle: “One of these things is not like the others.” It is not hard to determine which proposal for the Rumsey Aquatic Center is different than the community-based proposals that preceded it. The one that is different is the one just introduced – without community consultation – on March 12. Rather than reflecting the RFP that was the basis for the generous design/build award, the current proposal goes its own direction and seeks to shoehorn a few small auxiliary rooms into the current, single story, pool space.
The difference between the RFP and the proposed project is as great as the difference between Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch: The RFP declares: “In addition to new and upgraded aquatic features, the project will aim to deliver community-based program spaces.” Implausibly, the current proposal does not propose to provide even the core items stipulated in the RFP:
senior center with tech lounge and other amenities;
large multipurpose/recreation room;
small to medium multipurpose/recreation rooms (note the plural).
At the March community meeting residents were presented with three “options”, none of which included the second floor which has been anticipated by the community, and which will be required to meet the specifications of the RFP. Not until the Q and A was the issue of a second floor addressed and then only because several residents specifically asked about its surprising omission from the plan.
Capitol Hill residents hold a variety of expectations for pool use. However, there is universal understanding that the rebuild of Rumsey is a once in a lifetime opportunity to add needed space resources for our built-up neighborhood that are unlikely to arise elsewhere.
Several fires set in the Hill East/Barney Circle neighborhoods in the last 30 days appear to be the work of a serial arsonist according to residents. The mostly-minor fires were clustered near Barney Circle and Lincoln Park. One fire was significant, destroying a construction trailer (above photo).
Residents say there have been several incidents over the past four weeks but most disturbing were three fires set in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 10. Those fires were set in the alley of the 1600 block of H Street SE and on Kentucky Avenue, SE near Lincoln Park. The most damaging was one in the 100 block of Kentucky Avenue SE which engulfed a construction trailer full of wood (see more on other locations below).
In addition to those locations, residents say there is evidence of a fire (scorched ground) along the RFK access road off Barney Circle/17th Street SE. Also, a resident of the 1600 block of H Street SE said leaves and debris in the alley of that block were set on fire within the past month.
One home owner called MPD to report that a security camera had recorded a suspected arsonist setting a trash can on fire in the alley of the 1600 block of H Street SE. In the process of filing a police report, the homeowner said that MPD officer called in the DCFD Fire Marshals who followed up and said they were aware of fires like this being lit around the neighborhood.
The homeowner emailed CM Charles Allen to make sure he was aware of the situation.
Asked for comment, Allen responded: “I appreciate the neighbors that brought this to my attention earlier today. Fortunately, no one was injured. I’ve connected with leaders at both MPD and FEMS this afternoon and I want neighbors to know that patrols will be on the lookout and the Fire Marshal is investigating fully. If anyone has security videos that might help ID the individual that set these fires, please share them with law enforcement or contact me directly.”
Here’s some additional information regarding the fires:
March 16, circa 9:00pm, alley of 700 block of Kentucky Avenue SE. Fence set on fire.
March 16, circa 9:00pm, alley of 700 block of Kentucky Avenue SE. Fence set on fire.
April 10, 3:56am, alley behind 1600 block of H Street SE. Trash can set on fire. No damage caused as the fire extinguished itself after about 3 minutes. Video footage captured, but due to angle it’s difficult to make out much about this person.
(No image available.)
April 10, circa 4:30am, 400 block Kentucky Ave SE. Trash left for bulk pickup in curb box was set on fire.
Thursday April 10, circa 4:40am. 100 block of Kentucky Avenue SE. Construction trailer set on fire.
Maman Joon’s Kitchen – Persian Kabob – Set to Open on Barracks Row
by Larry Janezich
Posted April 10, 2025
Friday night found Maman Joon Kitchen owner Kevin Ejtemai (at right) celebrating the pending opening of the third outlet of his restaurant chain, this one at 404 8th Street, SE, the former site of The Sweet Lobby. He has an outlet in Tenleytown and another in McLean.
In the kitchen, the grill was fired up for the first kabobs…
Staff packed them up…
and Ejtemai gave away free samples to passersby on Friday evening. He said he would probably continue offering samples tomorrow and hopes to formally open on Monday. Maman’s Kitchen – with no indoor seating – is carryout and catering only.
Here’s a look at part of the menu.
Comments Off on Persian Kabob Carryout Set to Open on Barracks Row
CM Charles Allen briefing ANC6B last night on the DC Budget.
CM Charles Allen on Monday morning in Spirit of Justice Park behind the Longworth House Office Building where FreeDC volunteers gathered before heading inside to lobby Members of Congress. On Allen’s left are LaJoy Johnson-Law, Ward 8 State Board of Education member and Jacque Patterson, President of the State Board of Education.
CM Allen Says City Faces Tough Economic Choices
by Larry Janezich
Posted April 9, 2025
Tuesday night, Council Member Charles Allen gave ANC6B a sobering report on the current economic situation facing the city.
The city is facing two pressure points: The inability of the US House of Representatives to fix their mistake in forgetting to authorize DC to spend $1 billion of its own to fund its operational budget for personnel and city services. (If DC just went ahead and spent the money which has not been authorized it would be breaking the law.) Second, the projected $1 billion shortfall in revenues over the next three years resulting from the thousands of residents who have lost their federal jobs and the economic fallout therefrom as the result of the administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.
With respect to the first pressure point, Allen says he does not foresee the House acting to fix their mistake before it leaves for a two week recess at the close of business on Thursday. Cuts in personnel and services will not start immediately but the undetermined date is fast approaching when the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will inform the Mayor that she has to start making cuts. The Mayor will have to submit a Supplemental Budget to the city council recommending those cuts. Allen says, “To cut $1 billion from a $17 billion budget will be devastating…it will mean furloughs, personnel cuts, cuts in city operations and bus and Metro service.” The police and fire departments will suffer hiring freezes – first responders could be furloughed. Public and charter schools will be subject to staff and operational cuts – an extreme example is that the school week could be cut to 3 or four days.
On Monday, Allen was part of the local advocacy group FreeDC’s call to action to lobby members of the House to pass the Senate-passed bill to fix the spending glitch which has been held for some three weeks at the Speaker’s desk. This means under House Rules, it will take a two-thirds vote of the House (288) to take it up for consideration, and a simple majority of the House to pass it. Though the bill has the support of the President and – reportedly – the chair of the House Appropriations Committee – it appears to be stalled by members of the Freedom Caucus. Some speculate that some House members want to place conditions on DC as part of an agreement to move the bill forward.
Allen’s team visited five Congressional offices. He said the Republican offices were polite but he did not detect a sense of urgency. He said he got a “warmer response from Democratic offices, but none of them felt like their hair was on fire about how this was a crushing and urgent problem”. By the end of the day, FreeDC volunteers had visited 283 members’ offices.
Regarding the second pressure point, Allen noted that the FY 2026 Budget process – which should have launched at the beginning of April – has not, because the Mayor is waiting on a resolution regarding the $1 billion being held up in the House which otherwise will have to be taken into consideration in the budget for the next fiscal year.
Assuming that gets resolved and the 2026 FY Budget process moves forward, it will have to take into account the CFO’s projection of $1 billion in lower revenue over the next three years resulting from a reduction in the federal workforce. That will amount to a cut of around $300 million in each of the next three fiscal years. Those cuts will come in the face of increasing costs. Allen said, “We are facing a difficult budgeting…..We will be reducing city services and I don’t like doing that….But if the budget is balanced on the most vulnerable it is not a budget I can support. There will be a reduction in services and benefits and every part of the city will have to be a part of what this tough moment will realize.”
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 