Category Archives: Uncategorized

January 19, 2025 · 10:34 pm

The Week Ahead…New Mini-Mall Planned for H Street NE & Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…New Mini-Mall Planned for H Street NE & Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted January 19, 2024

New Mini-Mall Planned for H Street, NE. The former Biergarten Haus at 1355 H Street, NE, which closed in July of 2023, is among the several properties recently purchased by Jonathan Askarinam and Moe Pishvaeian .  The development team – which also includes Ian Ruel – plans to use it and adjacent buildings to open a new food hall with retail and event spaces 

On January 15, Developers presented the plan to ANC6A’s Planning and Zoning Committee for combining four H Street buildings (including the former Biergarten Haus) plus three alley lots to create a mini-Union Market with a roof deck event space.

The remodeled combined space will contain 14 stalls for retail outlets.  Developers are looking at a number of potential tenants including four or five food stalls, a barber shop, a bar, a tattoo parlor, fitness space, a coffee shop, and a bakery.  They envision larger areas as lounge space for work and socializing, starting at breakfast and lasting through dinner where patrons will be encouraged to “come and hang out for a long time.”  

The Committee unanimously voted to recommend that the full ANC support the application for Zoning Adjustments providing exceptions from requirements for parking, rear yard, and fast food establishments. 

Spin Time Records – a New Capitol Hill Music Outlet:  John Lottman, the DC music scene aficionado who has marketed DC Go-G0, Punk & D.I.Y., Soul & Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop & Electic, and DC Americana on-line has opened his brick-and-mortar outlet on the 2nd floor above Barrel at 619 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. 

Here’s Lottman from his website:  “Like so many parts of DC, the Capitol Hill I grew up in has become a neighborhood that has “everything,” but feels like it’s lost so much.   One thing I can give it back is a record store.  It seemed like there used to be one on every block, but the last one closed about 25 years ago….

I want this to be a resource for locals, visitors, and people around the world to dive into the city’s musical life. You can look, listen, and read about this dimension of local history. You might give a local artist you’ve never heard of a spin, or discover a connection to DC in an artist you already knew.  And you are guaranteed to find some good music.”  Here’s a link to the website:  https://spintimerecords.com/  to see their collection.  And here’s a link to a WaPo article: https://wapo.st/3IOlThA  

ANC6D met January 13 and elected new officers: Chair, Gottlieb Simon (upper right); Vice Chair, Bruce Levine (middle far left); Secretary, Rhonda Hamilton(bottom left); and Treasurer, Fredrica “Rikki” Kramer (upper far left). 

ANC6B met January 14 and elected new officers.  Chair, Vince Marino (far right); Vice Chair, Edward Ryder; Secretary, David Sobelsohn; Treasurer, Anna Krebs (second from left); and Parliamentarian; Tyler Wolanin. Also pictured above are Commissioner Jerry Sroufe (far left), and Commissioner Karen Hughes.

ANC7D also met on January 14 and elected new officers:  Chair, Brian Alcorn (upper left); Vice Chair, Mike Davis; Treasurer, Brett Astmann (lower right); and Secretary, Dev Myers.  Also shown is MPD Lt. Stephen Miller (upper right), and wearing chapeau at lower left, Andrew Lightman, recruited by ANC7D as a non-member of the commission, to offciate at the election.

New officers for ANC6A and ANC6C were elected the previous week – one in which scheduling conflicts prevented CHC from capturing.

ANC6A:  Chair, Dave Wethington, Vice Chair/Parliamentarian, Amber Gove; Secretary, Jeff Giertz; Treasurer. 

ANC6C: Chair, Karen Wirt: Vice Chair, Mark Eckenweiler; Secretary, Andrew Hayes; and Treasurer, Jay Adelstein.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, January 20

Inaugural Day Holiday.  Trash and recycling pick up slide one day. 

Tuesday, January 21

ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the draft agenda: 

  • Request for an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE & E Street NE. ANC 6A sent a letter requesting this to DDOT on October 20, 2024. This was not listed in the TSI FY25Q1 or Q2 prioritizations.
  • Request for an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue NE and 14th Street NE. ANC 6A sent a letter requesting this to DDOT on October 20, 2024. This was not listed in the TSI FY25Q1 or Q2 prioritizations.
  • 14th & H Streets NE. DDOT issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to implement a bike lane on 14th Street NE between Florida Avenue and H Street NE, and upgrade and existing bike lane on 14th Street NE between H Street NE and Maryland Avenue NE. Committee has requested DDOT join us to present the plan.
  • 11th and F Streets NE. This area is under investigation for speed issues. ANC 6A sent a letter requesting this to DDOT on October 20, 2024.
  • Jayme Johnson will present on the 2025 Capitol Hill Classic and has requested a letter of support to HSEMA from ANC6A by March 31, 2025. [Note: this will be covered as the first topic of the meeting to accommodate scheduling]
  • Color the Curb Program at Maury Elementary. Kim Vacca from DDOT will present.
  • Both North Carolina Avenue NE and C Street NE from 16th to 14th Street – Committee Member Sussman produced a slide deck on potential improvements to the car and bike lanes in this area. One aspect would be the continuation of the westbound bike lane down North Carolina Avenue NE after the split with C Street NE. Other improvement suggestions aimed at making the blocks in question safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and automobiles.
  • 14th and Ames Place NE. The area is under investigation for traffic speed. This is between the traffic lights on North Carolina Avenue NE and East Capitol Street, and there is no stop sign at A Street NE.

Wednesday, January 22

ANC7D Transportation and Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

Agenda:  TBA

Thursday, January 23

  • ANC7D Economic Development, Housing Justice, Zoning and ABCA Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 3 (Main Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)

Agenda:  TBA

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January 12, 2025 · 11:14 pm

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from Last Week

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from Last Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 12, 2025

Crime in MPD 1st District and Hill East:  1st MPD District Commander Colin Hall briefs ANC7D Public Safety Committee chaired by resident member Brynn Barnett. 

Hall said crime has fallen both citywide and in the First District.  In 2024, citywide saw a 35% reduction in violent crime over 2023 and a 47% reduction in violent crime in the 1st District.  Homicides have decreased by 68% in the 1st District and robberies and carjackings decreased over 50% in each category. 

The 2024 gunfire seen in residential communities on Independence Avenue, SE, Hall said, had been because three neighborhoods had been in conflict with each other.  MPD made several key arrests and recovered “a lot of firearms and that quieted everything down.”  It currently does not appear to be a hot spot.

MPD made several arrests in response to a spate of robberies involving young females 14 – 17 years old who were repeating juvenile offenders and that has calmed down as well.  MPD is working with group homes and is engaging the Youth and Family Engagement Bureau to get juvenile offenders on the right track, but keep them out of the community.

Regarding the shooting at Eastern High School at the end of the year, Hall said, “We’ve identified the people involved and warrants are out.  We’ll find them and close the case.” 

On the tragic hit and run death of Ronnie Clark on Christmas Eve at 16th and C Streets, NE, Hall said it was still an active investigation:  “The vehicle involved was unregistered and we have identified a person of interest and recovered video of the crime.  This appears to be a case of speeding then losing control and careening on to the sidewalk.  We should be able to share more information soon and to make an arrest in a timely manner.”

Throughout the presentation, Hall emphasized how the community can help fight crime through use of the MPD Tip Line – Text 50411.  In addition to anonymously texting tips to the MPD, community members can now use their cell phone to send pictures or video about serious or violent crimes to the Metropolitan Police Department. 

Text, photo and video messages are monitored by members of the department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tips on serious or violent crimes will be investigated by members of the department.  Call 911 for a police response.  Tips may also be directed to (202) 727-9099 and may be eligible for a reward.

Pennsylvania/Potomac Avenues Intersection Project Begins this month.  On January 8, ANC6B’s Transportation Committee heard a DDOT presentation on the upcoming redesign of the PA/Potomac intersection.  The meeting was chaired by newly-elected Commissioner Karen Hughes, ANC6B09.

Here’s a rendering of the completed project.  DDOT Project Manager Abdullahi Mohamed said the agency is moving to construction phase and will focus on the Potomac Avenue/ PA Avenue Circle, and will include new signal lights, street lights, and handicap ramps.  The kick off for the project will be on January 27 – the purpose is to  enhance pedestrian safety and optimize traffic flow.  The completion date is December 28, 2026.  Construction of bike lanes east on Pennsylvania Avenue will begin once the circle project is complete.  The National Park Service will maintain the circle.

Snow storm collapses Pennsylvania Avenue Streetery – last week, this was the scene on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue – spelling the perhaps temporary end of this streetery.

Basquiat X Banksy at the Hirshhorn through October 26.  This exhibit features two major paintings by the artists – the first time either artist has been exhibited in the Hirshhorn.  Above is Basquiat’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump (fire hydrant), 1982.

Banksy’s Boy and Dog in Stop and Search, 2018.

In Banksy’s appropriation of Basquiat the former pays homage to the legacy of the latter and comments on the systemic racism he encountered.  For more, see here:  https://hirshhorn.si.edu/exhibitions/basquiat-x-banksy/

The Week Ahead…

Monday, January 13

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

Among items on the draft agenda:  TBA

Tuesday, January 14

ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. 

Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Consent Agenda

Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out

Reminder of Upcoming Meeting Dates

ANC 6B Input on Other Items of Concern

  • ANC 6B Letter to on Write-In Certification Timing

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee

  • Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion t/a Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion – 224 D Street SE. Substantial Change to Retailers Class C License to add a Games of Skill endorsement to their operations.

Planning & Zoning Committee

  • 321 D Street, SE.  Historic Preservation Application
  • 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE.  Zoning Application.   Project: Construction of new correctional facility. Owner(s): Department of General Services Applicant.

Financials

ANC 6B Administrative Matters

Adjournment

ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.

Among items of the draft agenda:

Administrative Matters

  • Motion to adopt the Commission Bylaws
  • Motion to elect the Commission officers
  • Motion to elect Committee members for 2025 and 2026
  • Motion to schedule Commission virtual monthly meetings for 2025 and January 2026
  •  Motion to participate in the ANC Security Fund and authorize the Treasurer to write a check for $50 to participate in the Fund
  • Motion to adopt the December 2024 meeting minutes   6:50 p.m. – 7:10 p.m.

DC Government Updates/Presentations

Community Comment 1-2 minutes each  New Business Items 

Monthly Treasurer Report

Approve FY 2025 Q1 Quarterly Financial Report  

ANC 7D Committee Updates

Commissioner Single Member District (SMD) Reports 1-2 minutes each

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

ANC6A Economic Development and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the draft agenda:

1355-1359 H Street, NE.  Bureau of Zoning Adjustment.  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 in the NMU-4/HA and MU-4 zones:  Special Exceptions from minimum parking requirements and rear yard requirements and eating and drinking establishment use requirements. 

1232 Maryland Avenue, NE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  To construct a two-story plus cellar rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.  Special Exception from lot occupancy requirements and rear addition requirements. 

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Hill Center Event, Wednesday, January 15.   Hill Center Galleries 2025 Regional Juried Show Opening Reception. 6:30 – 8:30 pm | FREE | Register Here https://bit.ly/3DSwokM

The exhibit will showcase new exhibits from local artists all across DC, Maryland and Virginia.  During the reception prizes will be awarded.  All pieces of art will be on display throughout our Galleries and online at Hill Center Galleries. The exhibitions run from January 15th through May 3rd.

What’s On at the Folger?  https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/

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January 11, 2025 · 12:14 pm

The Design of New Jail in Hill East

The Design of New Jail in Hill East

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 11, 2025

Design team rendering of the new DC Jail at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE.

Last Thursday night, Meridith Moldenhauer, Zoning Counsel for the DC Correctional Treatment Facility Project, presented current renderings of the new jail being built in Hill East to ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, chaired by Commissioner Vince Mareino.  The new jail is in Ward 7, but Ward Six and ANC6B border Ward 7 so it has a say in how the new jail will affect the Ward 6 community.  The correctional campus is located at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE. 

Moldenhauer’s task was to present a request for zoning waivers having to do with the setback from the property line and use of materials on the exterior façade of the structure. 

This rendering shows the main entrance to the institution on Massachusetts Avenue. The renderings in Moldenhauer’s PowerPoint presentation included here are those presented to the Zoning Commission in preparation for a hearing on the project’s design and zoning changes scheduled for March 17.  But those drawings from the design team of CGL Companies, CORE architecture + design and Neoscape, Inc., are currently being revised in response to a critical review by the DC Commission on Fine Arts (CFA) last November. 

CFA was critical of the design for not fitting well enough into the neighborhood (specifically the materials of the exterior) and for looking too much like a carceral institution. 

Currently, the façade has three layers – a security barrier, an opaque window wall system, with the exterior covered by a decorative perforated screen or “scrim” of pre-weathered Corten steel panels.  Moldenhauer said the intent was to make the façade look like “leaves and trees with a ‘scrim’ over the top.”  One of the critiques from CFA was that the Coren steel might darken over time presenting a more threatening visage to the community. 

Here’s a schematic of the footprint of the new structures. What will emerge on the opposite side of Massachusetts Avenue remains to be seen, since that will be up to private developers.

The timeline for the project anticipates construction beginning in 2027 and completion in 2034.  So far, only the first phase of the project has been funded by the Mayor’s budget, at $463 million.  An estimate for the final cost of the project has not yet been released. 

For an earlier CHC report, go here:  Update & Timeline for New DC Jail and the Correctional Treatment Facility https://bit.ly/3XG5T9J

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January 8, 2025 · 4:12 pm

Capitol Hill Worker-Priest Marched with King & Co-founded DC Legal Services for the Poor

Joe Cooney on December 30, 2024, at his home on South Carolina Avenue, SE.  On the mantel behind him is a photo of his late wife, Lovey Marie Guillory. 

Capitol Hill Worker-Priest Marched with King & Co-founded DC Legal Services for the Poor

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 8, 2025

Joe Cooney was a young cleric at Catholic University Law School in 1965 when Dr. Martin Luther King issued a call for clergy to support the second Edmund Pettus Bridge march in Selma, Alabama. On Sunday, March 7th, “Bloody Sunday,” civil rights marchers on the way to Montgomery, Alabama, had been attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge by state troopers and county police and King was responding with a call for a second protest on Tuesday, March 9th.

Cooney had been ordained as a Catholic priest the year before and got superiors’ permission to travel on short notice to Selma where he marched with Dr. King and some 2,500 others in what was known as “Turnaround Tuesday.”  King led the way, but in the face of a temporary restraining order, Cooney recalled that the march stopped on the bridge, marchers knelt to pray, and then turned around and returned to their rallying point.  Afterward, he returned to DC.  A third march all the way to Montgomery on March 21st, was protected by National Guard, FBI, and federal marshals.   

Cooney said that the experience motivated him to volunteer for SCOPE that summer.  The social action and education organization was created by the King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference to increase voter registration.  Cooney was assigned to work in Taliaferro County, one of the least populous counties in Georgia and birthplace and home of Alexander H. Stephens, vice president of the Confederacy during the Civil War.  At summer’s end he returned to DC and graduated law school in 1966.

Asked what called him to the clergy, Coooney said he grew up in Pennsylvania coal country where the local mine operator was the Pittston Coal Company – and “the worst thing you could say about anybody is that they worked for Pittston.  Their police were hated…I had five members of my extended family who were killed in the mines.”  Cooney said his experience of growing up there and the example of the worker priests in France and Latin America motivated him to become a priest – “People called me a communist at the time.”  The French worker priests were clergy who were not assigned a parish but who worked at ordinary jobs without clerical garb in the community.  According to Cooney, that practice continues within the Catholic Church today. 

The summer of 1966, he again signed up with SCOPE and became involved in school integration.  Cooney said they were not very successful in registering people to vote, “so Dr. King told us to go back to your community and work for civil rights there.  I came back in the fall of 1966 and then in the fall of 1967 with five other priests got permission from superiors to start a program which among other things was a legal services program.  The idea was to train law students.  At the beginning, we worked mostly on civil problems of patients at St. Elizabeth’s.” 

Cooney said, “We started the St. Martin Deporres House located at 123 11th Street, NE.”  Martin Deporres was a Peruvian laybrother who advocated for social justice and was canonized in 1962 by Pope John XIII.  The decision to locate in NE was because of a nearby shelter for alcoholics on 12th Street, established by a Dominican layman. “This was the beginning of our effort to provide help for the poor,” Cooney said, “King’s idea was to relate to the poor and do things in the community.” 

Church approval was difficult to get, but the Church was being revitalized by Vatican II and “the Master General (of the Dominican Order) in Rome suggested we establish a St. Deporres House.  I don’t think our Province would have gone for that. Legal service was a part of our charter which included other kinds of outreach to help the poor.”   

Within months, the priests had a falling out with Catholic University and the diocese.  Two of the priests – one of whom was a charismatic priest named Father Thomas – held mass for alcoholics in the back yard and attracted a crowd from the community.  While saying mass, Father Thomas did not wear part of the vestments priests wore while saying mass.  Cooney said that the Bishop became upset, resulting in a letter from the Cardinal to the diocese saying the two priests “were taking liberties with the liturgy”  and stopped us from holding mass there. 

Because of relationship with the diocese, Cooney said, “the dean of law school got cold feet and withdrew support for the House, so we decided to run the organization on our own.”  The project needed money so Cooney went to work for Department of Agriculture as an attorney in the Civil Rights Division.  Cooney said, “We continued to be active and the Cardinal had us in twice to give us a lecture.”

“What happened then was Dr. King was killed in spring of 68 and the city exploded,” Cooney remembered… “Social activism stopped – the movement broke into separate groups along gender and racial lines – and inter-racialism collapsed.  We continued but had problems recruiting.” 

There was also the change in the attitude of the Church, he said.  Rome was changing.  Cooney said that “the Master General who started us was practically fired.  The whole church atmosphere was changing.  There was a lot of dissension. “

Cooney continued with Legal Services in the face of this conservative backlash to Vatican II and says, “I continued working outside of the church and went to work for three years for the US Commission on Civil Rights.  I stayed there until 73 then moved over to our University Legal Services (ULS) full time.”  In 1975, he went on leave from his order to provide parental care until the spring of 1976.  Meanwhile, the Dominicans province he was in withdrew religious support for the St. Martin Deporres House.  By then, however, the legal services effort had been privately incorporated as a non-profit organization and University Legal Services continued.  After the shutdown, Cooney said, “I decided that’s not what the vocation is any more.” 

After serious health issues, Cooney decided, “It wasn’t for me – they not only wanted me to close up shop they wanted me to go to the Philippines to teach at a law school.  They didn’t want me working…I got the hint.”  He applied for and was granted dispensation from vows from the order; “I’m just not working for the Dominican Order anymore.  I do not say Mass unless I were to have permission of a bishop. But I could give last rites and absolution.“

Cooney married Lovey Marie Guillory in 1979, whom he met at ULS.  She was an attorney and prominent civil rights activist from Lafayette Diocese, LA.  She is the author of an autobiography, Born on the Kitchen Floor in Bois Mallet.  They bought a house on South Carolina Avenue, SE.   Joe, retired from ULS in September, 2014. His wife passed 7 years ago. Now 91, Cooney continues to live in his home on South Carolina Avenue and is a continuing and engaging presence in the neighborhood. 

Summing up, Cooney said, “Dr. King put me on the right path, directing my Catholic energy in working for the poor.  And that’s the story of my life.” 

University Legal Services (ULS) continues today as a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3), community-based organization that provides housing counseling and disability advocacy for human, civil and legal rights and protection for individuals throughout the District. 

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January 7, 2025 · 7:57 pm

List of ANC Commissioners for Five Capitol Hill ANCs

List of ANC Commissioners for Five ANCs Capitol Hill ANCs

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 7, 2024

The five ANCs which Capitol Hill Corner covers with some regularity will meet this month to elect officers. 

The list of commissioners is as follows, along with links to the ANC websites which have contact information for those commissioners.  (Some websites have not yet been updated, but soon will be.)

ANC6A – next meeting, Thursday, January 9.  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/   

  • 6A01 Paul Spires
  • 6A02 Mike Velasquez
  • 6A03 Roberta Shapiro
  • 6A04 Amber Gove
  • 6A05 David Wethington
  • 6A06 Jeff Giertz
  • 6A07 Stephen Kolb

ANC6B – next meeting, January 14.  https://anc6b.org/  

  • 6B01 Tyler Wolanin
  • 6B02 Gerald Jerry Sroufe
  • 6B03 David Sobelsohn
  • 6B04 Brian Gorman
  • 6B05 Sam Pastore
  • 6B06 Anna Krebs
  • 6B07 Vince Mareino
  • 6B08 Edward Ryder
  • 6B09 Karen Hughes

ANC6C – next meeting, January 8.  https://anc6c.org/   

  • 6C01 Jeremiah Foxwell
  • 6C02 Karen J. Wirt
  • 6C03 Jay Adelstein
  • 6C04 Mark Eckenwiler
  • 6C05 Daniela Kelley McInerney
  • 6C06 Andrew R. Hayes
  • 6C07 Tony T. Goodman

ANC6D –  next meeting, Monday, January 13.  https://www.anc6d.org/  

  • 6D01 Marquell Merlin
  • 6D02 Gottlieb Simon
  • 6D03 Gail Fast
  • 6D04 Andrea M. Pawley
  • 6D05 Chearie Phelps-EL
  • 6D06 Bruce Levine
  • 6D07 Fredrica (“Rikki”) Kramer
  • 6D08 Rhonda N. Hamilton

ANC7D – next meeting, January 14.  https://7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1  

  • 7D01 Charles Boston
  • 7D02 vacant
  • 7D03 Artilie Wright
  • 7D04 Mike Davis
  • 7D05 Ebony Payne
  • 7D06 Marc Friend
  • 7D07 Brett Astmann
  • ANC-7D08 Brian Alcorn
  • ANC-7D09 Ashley Schapitl
  • ANC-7D10 Dev Myers

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January 5, 2025 · 10:19 pm

The Week Ahead…& ANC Swearing In Photos

The Week Ahead…& Photos from ANC Swearing In

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 5, 2025

Thursday, January 2, ANC Commissioners were sworn in at a ceremony held at the Walter E. Wshington Convention Center. Image provided by Council of DC.

An image from the other side of the room. Photo: CM Charles Allen’s office.

An image of Ward 7 Commissioners being sworn in – oath being administered by newly-elected Councilmember Wendell Phillips. Photo: Council of DC.

You don’t see this every day – fresh Black Winter Truffles from Spain, vacuum-packed and available at Eastern Market’s Bowers Fancy Dairy Products.

This weekend, the Eastern Market craft vendors moved off of 7th Street, and into the North Hall. On Thursday at 12:00pm, the vendors of the South Hall will hold a moment of silence as the U.S. Navy honors former President Carter with a 21 gun salute from the Navy Yard.

Saturday afternoon, the American flag flew at half staff over the US Capitol in honor of former President Jimmy Carter. The 8 foot security fence reflects the two National Security Events taking place this week: The Joint Meeting of Congress on Monday to count the electoral ballots, and the Lying in State Tuesday – and Wednesday, with the State Funeral following on Thursday. See details below.

The Week Ahead…

Monday, January 6

Snow Emergency in effect.  Schools will be closed and trash will not be picked up.  Residents will be notified when trash collection resumes. 

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Agenda: 

  • Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion t/a Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion – 224 D Street SE. Substantial Change to Retailers Class C License to add a Games of Skill endorsement to their operations.
  • Appointment of ABC Resident Member for 6B06

ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing  Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Agenda:

  • Update from Commissioner Wirt re: Kae LLC 312 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Medical Cannabis Retailer New License.
  • The Consortium at 201 Massachusetts Ave. NE.  Class C Tavern New License

ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.

  • Please contact the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov if you wish to have a link to view the meeting.

National Special Security Event.  U.S. Congress will hold a joint session to count electoral ballots.   The US Secret Service says those who live and work in the District can expect security measures in place like those that are put in place during the State of the Union address.

Tuesday, January 7

National Special Security Event.  On Jan. 7, former President Jimmy Carter’s body will leave Georgia and be flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where a motorcade will drive him to Washington, D.C. There will be a service for members of Congress at 3 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.

  • Carter will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7 p.m. until midnight Tues., Jan. 7, and again from 7 a.m. Wed., Jan. 8 until 7 a.m. Thurs., Jan. 9. Viewers can come to the Capitol and pay their respects during those hours.
  • At 9 a.m. Jan. 9, Carter’s body will be taken from the Capitol to the Washington National Cathedral for his National Funeral Service.
  • The Washington Navy Yard will conduct a 21-gun salute to honor President Jimmy Carter on January 9, 2025 at 12 PM. The Navy is honoring Carter’s life and legacy, including his time at the U.S. Naval Academy during World War
  • “The Secret Service will use drones as part of the comprehensive security plan.
  • For more, go here:  https://bit.ly/40khrR8

Wednesday, January 8

ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

Among items on the draft agenda: 

  • Appointment and Election of Committee Members and Officers 
  • SMD appointments by individual commissioners
  • Election of at-large resident committee members (up to 3 per committee)
  • Election of committee chairs
  • Commissioner announcements
  • Consent Calendar TBD
  • Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee
    • The Consortium, 201 Mass. Ave. NE (new class C tavern) 

ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

Agenda: 

  • DDOT Presentation on Penn/Potomac Intersection Redesign

Thursday, January 9

ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

Among items on the draft agenda: 

  • Motion to elect officers: Chair – Dave Wethington (6A04); -Vice Chair/Parliamentarian –Amber Gove (6A04); Secretary – Jeff Gierst (6A06); Treasurer – Roberta Shapiro (6A02)
  • Motion to elect members and leaders of the permanent Committees for 2024.

Plenary Session:

  • Suggested Motion: ANC6A approve a 10 percent increase in the compensation for services provided by the ANC 6A administrator and note taker. (The last increase was approved in October 2020.)
  • Suggested Motion: ANC6A protest the application for Substantial Changes to a Class C Tavern license at Henceforth DC at 1335 H Street, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
  • Suggested Motion : ANC6A protest the application for a new Class C Tavern at Ethio Vegan at 1362 H Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
  • Suggested Motion : ANC6A protest the application for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license for Dreamy DC at 1111 H Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached. ANC 6A will request formal confirmation from ABCA that the proposed location for Dreamy DC does not violate any of the proximity limits in the Medical Cannabis laws or regulations. 
  • Suggested Motion : ANC6A ANC 6A protest the application for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license for Proper Exotic at 13 8th Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

Agenda: 

  • Historic Preservation Application for 321 D Street, SE
  • 1900 Massachusetts Ave., SE [7F08] .  Zoning application for construction of new correctional facility. Owner(s): Department of General Services Applicant: Eric DeBear
  • 409 8th Street SE – Popeyes

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December 29, 2024 · 10:18 pm

Another Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

Another Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted December 29

Joselito Closes after Seven Years at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Here’s the notice announcing the closure posted next to the entrance. 

“With a heavy heart, we announce the permanent closure of Joselito Casa de Comidas in Eastern Market on December 28th.

It has been our privilege to serve you for the past seven years.  The laughter shared, the special occasions celebrated, and the community we have built together, especially through the pandemic, have been the highlights of our journey at Joselito.  Each meal, every conversation, and all of the faces we’ve seen have made Joseliro a place my father would have been proud of:  a place of warmth, connection and joy where friends and family gather.

While this closure is necessary, it is not the end of our story.  We are launching “el Rincon de Joselito,” twelve special seats at our chef’s counter at SER, our restaurant in Arlington, where guests will experience tasting menus from Joselito.  Seatings will be available by reservations made at least 24 hours in advance and will begin early in 2025.

We are incredibly grateful for your support and love over the years.  Thank you for being a part of our story and we hope to see you at “el Rincon de Joselito” at SER.

With deepest appreciation,

Javier, Christiana and the entire Joselito Team”

Last October, owner Javier Candon, told Eater DC that he would close once someone signed a new lease.  He said that once he found a tenant, the landlord (Stanton Development) agreed to let them go without any penalties.  No word yet on who Joselito’s successor in the space might be.

And on Barracks Row, Hill Restaurant Group announced that its Playa Ocho Cantina on Barracks Row was up for sale.  The sign says its temporarily closed for renovations.

The week before Christmas, Los Caballeros at 308 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, was celebrating its one year anniversary.

The Furies Collective House on 11th Street, SE, designated a National Historic Landmark.  On December 16, the National Park Service finalized the designation, marking an additional recognition of the significance of the house at 219 11th Street, SE.  The house had previously been listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  The Furies Collective was a group of 12 lesbian feminist activists who made the house their operational center and published a newspaper called “The Furies.”  Between 1971 and 1973 the group’s publication raised questions about women’s place in society and the nature of the relationship between men and women, women and other women, and women and society.  In Greek mythology, The Furies were three goddesses of vengeance.

The house is now the home of Capitol Hill author Robert Pohl and his wife Antonia.  Here’s a link to Pohl’s Facebook page which follows progress on his latest book, 101 House in a Zeppelin https://www.facebook.com/RobertPohlAuthor

Fencing the Capitol.  Sunday afternoon, the Architect of the Capitol’s securing of the Capitol Complex with 8 foot fencing was underway.  This is the view from 2nd and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  The fencing will eventually encompass the Capitol. 

Status Report on the Inaugural Platform.  Construction continues on the West Front of the US Capitol.  As seen in the photo, the structure on the far left is the radio platform from which audio  correspondents will broadcast live coverage of the ceremony.  Just to the left of center, the narrow white structure is the Center Camera Stand, where the network pool will provide head-on video coverage to other news subscribers who do not have cameras on this platform.  Other occupants of the structure will be network cameras (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX) providing unilateral coverage as well a C-SPAN camera and official video cameras.  Also on this platform will be still photographers from major news organizations.  On the far right, the South Camera Stand will be home to additional network cameras, video cameras from the major network and independent news organizations, and more still photographers. 

The Week Ahead…

Monday, December 30

ANC6A’s 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 & Updates – Reminder of Sunday morning cleanups on I Street – People’s Front of H Street Group – How to join the 6A list serve.
  • ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee Eligibility and Candidates
  • Community Comments & Concerns

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December 22, 2024 · 10:06 pm

A Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Quiet Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

The Week Ahead…

There are no ANC or other community civic meetings scheduled for the week ahead.  Happy Holidays.

Some Photos from the Past Week

Union Station continues the tradition of erecting The Norwegian Christmas Tree – an annual gift from the people of Norway to the United States in thanks for assistance in WWII.  The tradition dates to 1997 and was proposed by then-Ambassador Tom Vraalsen.

The wreaths on the front of Union Station have become an iconic symbol of the season.

And here’s a reverse shot with the U.S. Capitol in the background.

At the Library of Congress, this year’s tree is on the balcony rather than on the main floor of the Great Hall.  Among the ornaments are small books which have the names of the states in their title. 

Around the base of the tree are books belonging to 14 of those who have served as Librarians of Congress.  Each book has been turned into a paper sculpture, with bundles of pages folded in a way that provides a surface upon which is displayed the names of the books’ owners.  Shown here are books owned by Librarians of Congress Boorstin and Billington.  The current Librarian is Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress. 

Attached to the books are examples of the liberty or Phrygian cap, symbolizing freedom.  It recurs throughout the Library of Congress Great Hall Space.  (According to Wikipedia, the Phrygian cap is a soft conical cap with the apex bent over which came to signify freedom and liberty first in the American Revolution and then in the French Revolution.) For timed entry passes, go here:  https://www.loc.gov/visit/

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December 20, 2024 · 12:42 am

Rumsey Pool Likely to Close in January 2026 for Demolition/Reconstruction

Rumsey Pool Likely to Close in January 2026 for Demolition/Reconstruction

by Larry Janezich

Posted December 19, 2024

Thursday night, DPR held the first of many community meetings on the modernization of Rumsey Aquatic Court.

CM Charles Allen called the project a once in a generation opportunity.

Thursday night, DPR held its first community meeting to launch the design phase for the construction of a new Rumsey Aquatic Center.  CM Charles Allen told more than 150 attendees that they could swim for about another year while the new building is being designed and before the old building closes for at least 18 months of demolition and construction. 

The meeting was held in the North Hall of Eastern Market and was presided over by DPR External Affairs official, Tommie Jones. 

CM Charles Allen who shepherded the already-appropriated $37 million in funding for the project through the City Council spoke at the meeting.

Allen called the project a once in a generation opportunity and noted the challenges the project faced, being adjacent to the historic Eastern Market, and the importance of designing a structure appropriate for that space.  He said he had met with several swim stakeholder groups and heard one consistent message:  they want more water – more swimming lanes.  He said he heard a lot of ideas about the second floor, including an observation deck where parents can watch their children swim.  The second floor is currently slated to be a senior center with a tech lounge, a business incubator space, and an indoor fitness center.  Another opportunity will be to reimagine the alley between the new building and Eastern Market and activating the dead zone on the C Street side (which used to be the original entrance to the building).  He said, “The building will not be all things to all people,” but “we will turn to the community to ask whether we’re headed in the right or wrong direction – just let us know.”

Plans are under consideration to transport Rumsey swimmers to other pools during the closure.  “The Rumsey users are a community, Allen said, “and we will do everything we can to hold the community together.” 

In addition to ideas mentioned by Allen, DPR’s PowerPoint presentation listed other ideas which have been mentioned, including:

  • Zero Entry Approach to pool (also known as beach entry pool).
  • Locker Room improvements.
  • Explore new ways to activate front plaza.
  • Honoring local history.
  • Multipurpose community spaces.

The preliminary Project Milestone Schedule is as follows: 

  • Dec 2024 Community Meeting 1 – Project kickoff community meeting.
  • (Electronic Community Survey – February/March 2025)
  • Spring 2025 Community Meeting 2 – Concept Review.
  • (Schematic design phase)
  • TBD Community Meeting 3 – Design Update.
  • TBD Community Meeting Final Design.
  • (Permitting Phase)
  • TBD Community Meeting Construction Kick off.
  • (Construction Updates)

During Q&A, some of the concerns which members of the community asked the design team to consider included: 

  • The importance of providing adequate funding for maintenance.
  • Provision for swim meets.
  • Transgender bathrooms. 
  • Expansion of the building footprint.
  • Use of bromine or ozone instead of chlorine water treatment. 
  • Prioritizing use of the new building as an aquatic center. 
  • Keeping pool open until last minute.

Rumsey opened in 1970 as the Capitol East Natatorium – the first year round, racially integrated public swimming pool in the district.  The facility renamed in honor of Dr. William H. Rumsey, former Director of the DC DPR and co-founder of the Black History Invitational Swim Meet.  For more, see here:  https://bit.ly/3RCTY70

The project website where Thursday night’s Power Presentation will be posted is here:  https://dgs.dc.gov/page/rumsey-acquatic-center    DPR says it will go live on December 20.   

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December 18, 2024 · 1:23 pm

Mott’s Community Owned Market Hopes to Open in Early Spring

Mott’s Community Owned Market Hopes to Open in Early Spring

by Larry Janezich

Posted December 18, 2024

Mott’s Market Winter Wonderland Celebration and Holiday Market on Saturday, December 14. 

Payton Sherwood, the vendor and operator of the new Capitol Hill’s Mott’s Market at 232 12th Street, SE, says he “likes to believe the Market will open in early spring.”  That’s Payton on the right – also pictured at far left is Michael Skinner, President of Mott’s Market Neighborhood LLC.  The occasion was last Saturday afternoon’s Winter Wonderland Event at Mott’s.    Neighbors gathered for a celebration of the season and to view progress on the market’s buildout as the building takes shape for reopening. 

Sherwood says that the LLC has received its liquor license and funding is in place for the final push.  What remains is finishing the plumbing and electrical and inspections, then finishing the interior, final inspections and getting a certificate of occupancy. 

Mott’s Market closed as a neighborhood mom and pop store in 2022.  A group of neighbors organized by Skinner raised money to purchase and restore the store to preserve it as a community market.  The market is owned by an LLC comprised of 90 community members.  For more, go here:  https://www.mottsmarket.com/

Here’s a photo of the interior looking toward the street.  There’s room for inside seating (as well as outside).  More than a grocery, the carry out or eat on premises menu will feature sandwiches, pastries, prepared food, coffee, wine and beer.  True to it’s original function, the shop will stock household staples. 

Saturday’s holiday market at Mott’s included two artist’s stands offering ideal holiday gift ideas.  Here’s Erin Thompson Studio’s with Capitol Hill inspired art works.  https://erinthompsonstudio.com/

And here’s Medieval Scribe Saoirse (Seer-sha) Hosman’s exceptionally well crafted handbound books.  https://sites.google.com/hosman.us/saoirses-portfolio

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