“Doc” Payne, 83, passed away last Sunday. He was a fixture outside of Peregrine Espresso near Eastern Market for years – soliciting change from customers and passersby regardless of the weather. His full name was Earl Ronald “Doc” Payne.
According to his friend and Peregrine habitué Nicky Sundt, “Doc was born in 1940 in Washington, DC, and by the age of 14 was living on his own. He learned how to box and was promising in the ring….But before he could get close to realizing that dream, he killed a man. Enraged after his brother-in-law beat Doc’s sister, Doc tracked him down to the military commissary where he worked. He chased him through the commissary and thrashed him. His brother in law fractured his skull in the fight and died. Doc shows me the scar on the back of his head where the Military Police hit him with the butt of a gun to subdue him.
He spent more than twenty years in Federal penitentiaries for that. He subsequently returned to DC and entered a program that teaches “long timers” to live outside prison after their release.”
“Doc” and friend Tama Duffy Day prior to the motorized wheelchair. Photo: Tama Duffy Day
Sundt continued, “In recent years, after a minor stroke and a long hospital stay, Doc (had) a harder time getting around and relie(d) on a walker….when one of his many fans noticed that his old walker was in poor condition, she picked up a new one and dropped it off at his house.” Later, when the walker became too difficult to manage, he acquired a motorized wheelchair.
Doc lived in Kentucky Courts, raising his daughter’s two teenaged sons, one of whom died about a year ago. His daughter – who lived in West Virginia – died in an auto accident a several years earlier.
He’s remembered for his unfailing kindness and positivity. Sundt recalls Doc’s customary greeting to passersby: “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Yes it is, yes it is.”
During the pandemic, his friends feared he wouldn’t survive. But he did. He survived despite a host of medical problems and a life time of adversity. And he never gave up.
Last night, many Capitol Hill residents opted for the firework display at Lincoln Park rather than the one on the National Mall. The display was an uncoordinated effort by half a dozen or so civic minded residents who just like shooting off fireworks and want to share the experience with neighbors. One of those celebrants – who CHC talked to at Peregrine Espresso this morning and who travels to West Virginia for the pyrotechnics – noted how much more expensive they’ve become this year.
But it wasn’t just these major players – many residents chose the location to shoot off their own supply. The gathering was casual and many families watched from blankets spread on the grass. The sense of community was strong in a way that is generally absent from the Mall gathering and for many, it was clearly the place to be.
The crowd-pleasing Eastern High Blue & White Marching Machine stood in for the U.S. Marine Band, leading the July Fourth Parade on Barracks Row. According to sources, they were in Boston this year.
Ward 6 DC Councilmember Charles Allen marched…
… and got in some face time with future voters.
City Council Chair and Capitol Hill Resident Phil Mendelson showed up.
So did Council Member at Large Kevin McDuffie.
The increasingly influential Capitol Hill bike riders demonstrated a show of strength.
Capitol Hill BID President Patty Brosmer led the Men In Blue Contingent…
…which was far away the most popular among the younger crowd.
And the Bolivian Dancers brought their high energy and colorful costumes back to Barracks Row.
Here’s the grandstand for “A Capitol Fourth,” with the National Symphony Orchestra as it appeared Monday morning on the West Front of the US Capitol. Grounds open at 3:00pm, Tuesday – music starts at 8:00pm – fireworks at 9:06pm. Among the featured talent: Boys II Men, country duo Maddie and Tae, opera star Renee Fleming, R&R Hall of Famer Belinda Carlisle, and others.
The US Capitol – currently under renovation – faces the grandstand.
Off to the side is the mess tent to feed the dozens of crew members who make the event happen.
About 11:00am, Belinda Carlisle was rehearsing “We Got the Beat.” Carlisle was lead vocalist for the Go’ Go’s – the most successful all-female rock band of all time.
Over on the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Mezeh Mediterranean Grill has papered over the windows of the former Roland’s. Not sure what’s going on behind the paper, but no permits are visible. (Re orginal caption, Barred in DC points out they will not be serving alcohol and will have no license issues with ABC6B.)
Bob Gellman from Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) has created a list of 160 Little Free Libraries – locations he collected while walking on Capitol Hill. One that’s not on his list is on Decater Street in Petworth that replicates the owners’ house and goes the extra mile…
I mean, with a wall-papered interior and all.
The Week Ahead…& Some Recent Photos
by Larry Janezich
Posted July 3, 2023
Tuesday, July 4
Barracks Row MainStreet July 4th Parade starts at 10:00am.
Wednesday, July 5
ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Extreme Pizza; 520 8th Street, SE. Application for an Entertainment Endorsement for Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern License.
725 8th Street, SE. Application for a new Retailer’s Class “A” Liquor Store.
Los Caballeros Restaurant. 308 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Application for a Retailer’s Class “C” Restaurant License.
Capital Square Bar and Grill. 1500 East Capitol Street, SE. (SMD 7D08) On-going noise complaints impacting SMD 6B06 residents.
Update on I Egg You Protest. ABC Chair attended the required Roll Call hearing. The Mediation is scheduled for July 19 but the Chair has a conflict on that date. Jayaraman for ANC 6B and the Counsel for the Establishment agreed to change the date to July 26 but this must be done as a formal joint request. Counsel for the Establishment is drafting a filing to do that.
Pacci’s Trattoria. 106 13th Street, SE. Public Space Permit application for New Sidewalk Cafe Un-Enclosed.
ANC6C Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
616 7th Street, NE. Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application for a variance from the lot occupancy requirements and a special exception to construct a rear deck on an attached, two-story (with cellar) principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Hill Center Gathering Terrace Project. Adding a gathering terrace at the Hill Center for public use and events.
116 5th Street SE Project. Historic Preservation Application. Design concept for addition of a third floor containing a bedroom and bathroom and enclosure of a second-floor rooftop deck to extend an existing bedroom.
405 4th Street SE Project. Historic Preservation Application. Design concept for a three story rear addition to an existing two story row house principal dwelling and to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit in the RF-3 zone.
405 4th Street SE Project. Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application. To construct a three story rear addition to an existing two story row house principal dwelling and to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit in the RF-3 zone.
Update on Subcommittee on Alley Closing in Square 762
Last Tuesday night, ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Committee met. Committee Chair Commissioner Jerry Sroufe announced Resident Member Eileen Dougherty’s appointment as Vice Chair. (Photo from the May meeting of the Committee – Sroufe is at left, Dougherty is center, front). Commissioner Frank Avery is at right.
The PP&S Committee is circulating among its members a draft letter to city officials in support of the proposed Virginia Avenue Corridor Vision Plan via a public space permit from DDOT, to include improvements in Virginia Avenue and the area under the SE/SW Freeway where 2nd Street intersects Virginia Avenue just south of Garfield Park. The letter could be on the agenda for the July ANC6B meeting. Here’s a link to Capitol Riverfronts vision plan: https://ctycms.com/dc-capitol-riverfront/docs/underpass-vision-plan.pdf
It looks like the owners of the former Tandoor Grill on Barracks Row at 419 8th Street have spruced up the façade of the For Lease building with an enlarged city scape photo. (An alert reader points out the signage indicates the photo was provided by the Capitol Hill BID – an earlier version credited Barracks Row MainStreet.) The conditions outside the front of the building had become pretty nasty what with the bird droppings and such, adding another layer of distress to the forlorn building.
The ANC6A Transportation and Public Space Committee met Tuesday night to consider Commissioner Roberta Shapiro’s Capitol Hill Sidewalk Survey. (Shapiro is top row, center.) Among the revelations:
473 households responded to sidewalk survey.
305 respondents reported that they or a member of their household fell in the community over the past two years – many experienced multiple falls.
263 injuries were reported and 114 required medical care.
105 were younger than 40.
The Committee unanimously voted to request the city council to commission a formal assessment and a plan for systematic maintenance and replacing if necessary, dangerous sidewalks in the ANC6A, 6B, and 6C area to achieve a safe pedestrian friendly environment.
Whither building Biker Barre? Word on the street is that a new lessee will open up a dance studio in the space at 738 7th Street, SE, which hosted Capitol Hill’s first barre studio. As of now, it’s only word – CHC has not been able to confirm.
The Interior Life at the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art. The curators found the theme of the show in the words of James Baldwin in Nobody Knows My Name: “Though we do not wholly believe it yet, the interior life is a real life and the intangible dreams of people have a tangible effect on the world.” From the National Gallery’s website: “Baldwin highlighted the power of people’s interior lives, specifically those of artists, to move our world forward.” The painting above is Paradise for A Tourist Brochure, by Freddy Rodriquez. The exhibit runs through September 10.
The Week Ahead…& Some Recent Photos
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 25, 2023
Tuesday, June 27
ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Items on the draft agenda:
AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
150th Update
Up Date Strategic Plan
Emergency Response Update
TENANTS COUNCIL COMMITTEE
CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
MARKET OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE MARKET MANAGER
CHAIR REPORT – PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEW, UPDATE & COMMENT
DGS Response
Market Public Safety Update (Bollards, Strategic Plan, Emergency Response)
Report, Ongoing/Past Actions
Proposals for Market
Concierge Staff Program
DMPED Officer Funding Inquiry
Police & Self Training
Camera/Speaker (Interior / Exterior)
Expand Scope and Membership in Establishing an Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee
Establish Incident Report System and Protocol
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
EMCAC STATEMENTS AND MOTIONS
Thursday, June 29
ANC6B Commissioner Jerry Sroufe is hosting an in-person neighborhood meeting to discuss illegal use of residences as business offices on Thursday, June 29, at 7:00 at the 700 Pennsylvania Building
An earlier version stated this would be a meeting of the 6B Parks and Public Spaces Committee. CHC regrets the error.
Comments Off on The Week Ahead…& Some Recent Photos
Saturday, the community celebrated the annual and the designation of the Peterbug Shoe Academy as a Historical Landmark. The Academy and Buchanan Park were so honored for its architecture and history in November, 2022.
The Ladies of Distinction, wearing their distinctive pink blazers, hosted a tree planting ceremony to spotlight Lady Bird Johnson’s commitment to the Beautification Program under which Buchanan Plaza was created in 1968. After the purpose of the Plaza faltered in the 1970’s Peterbug Matthews picked up the mantle and established his Shoe Academy to continue the work of improving inner-city neighborhoods. The Ladies of Distinction, Inc. was established in 1964 as a non-profit educational and humanitarian organization.
Ladies of Distinction leaders pose with Peterbug Matthews. From left to right: Lady J. Allison Riley, Lady Karen Cherry, Lady Hope V. Ruffin, Lady India Gray, Lady Dolores Brazil, Lady Michelle Smalls, and Lady Pauline Hunter.
The Ngoma Marasiki African Drummers opened the tree planting ceremony with a blessing, “Calling the Ancestors.
Ladies of Distinction and Peterbug participate in the ground breaking for the tree planting.
A high five from an appreciative parent expresses gratitude for entertainment skills.
Peterbug Matthews, community leader, activist, mentor and inspiration.
The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from Peterbug Matthews Day
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 19, 2023
The Week Ahead…
Tuesday, June 20
ANC 6A Transportation & Public Space Committee Meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project Update. Mr. Mohammed Dahir, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Project Manager, and Mr. Ali Shakeri, DDOT Program Manager will provide and update on the Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project and address community safety concerns with related contractor work. A representative of Washington Gas will also attend to address community concerns.
Maury Elementary School Parking Zone application. Jason Meggs, DDOT School Parking Zone Program Manager and Maury Elementary School representatives will provide an update on the application for daytime permits for Maury staff to park in Residential Parking locations in 6A.
Vision Zero streetscape hardening. Mr. Othman Chebli of the DDOT Vision Zero Team will provide an update on streetscape hardening at 13th Street, NE, and Constitution Avenue, NE, and at 11th Street, NE, and East Capitol Street.
Ward 6 Sidewalk Survey and Traffic Safety Investigation data. Commissioner Shapiro will report on the results of the survey and the results of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests pertaining to Traffic Safety Initiatives.
Public Space Permit Application Commissioner Dooling will present the permit application for a new un-enclosed sidewalk café at Daru, 1451 Maryland Avenue, NE.
ANC6B Parks And Public Spaces Taskforce will hold a public meeting at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Conference Room 2074 (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
Agenda: TBA
Wednesday, June 21
ANC6A Economic Development & Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
721 H Street, NE. Zoning Application: Proposed map amendment to rezone the property from NC-16 to NC-17.
1207 H Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for a Special Exception to raze an existing structure, and to construct a new, detached, six-story with below-grade parking and penthouse
1216 Constitution Avenue, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for a Special Exception to construct a rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
1244/1246 H Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Request for a Special Exception to construct a side and rear addition, and permit a fast food establishment use, to an existing, attached, two-story commercial building in the NC-14 zone.
Mezeh’s construction team members assess buildout requirements for the new fast casual restaurant.
Mezeh Mediterranean Grill Coming to 333 PA Ave SE (Formerly Roland’s)
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 15, 2023
Mezeh Mediterranean Grill hopes to open in September in the space formerly occupied by Roland’s convenience store at 333 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, according to the firm’s construction manager. The store will be the latest in the Mezeh’s chain of more than 40 fast casual restaurants in the mid-Atlantic region.
Mezeh specializes in fresh food and natural flavors, made from scratch in-house daily with 100% olive oil halal protein, no hormones, no preservatives, and or additives. The restaurant targets young health conscious professionals, 21 – 45.
The most popular menu item is “create your own bowl” with some 65 toppings that fits any diet – vegetarian, vegan, Keto, gluten free, etc.
“Mezeh” is the company’s twist of a host of similar Eastern Mediterranean words all of which mean some variation of taste, flavor, nibble or small plate.
Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Executive Director of DC Public Libraries, gave an update on the closure of Sourtheast Library to ANC6B on Tuesday night. The image depicts a cross section through the rendering of the renovated library.
SE Library Closure/Interim Services Update
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 15, 2023
Executive Director DCPL Reyes-Gavilan appeared before ANC6B Tuesday night to provide an update on the closure of SE Library as well as what interim services will be available during the estimated tw0 year library renovation project.
Here are the take-aways:
Closure
Gavilan: SE Library Closure targeted for this summer, but “I wouldn’t bet my life savings on it.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in Fall 2023.
There will be one final community meeting prior to the building’s closure to discuss all issues related to the project.
DCPL will give approximately 6 weeks’ notice prior to the closing.
The construction team will start after 6 – 8 weeks of building closure. This provides time for move out, mobilizing the construction team, putting up required site protections, interior abatement and selective interior demolition.
DCPL and the Design Build teams continue doing pre-construction work, responding to comments and reconciling sub-contractor bids
Interim Services.
The main go-to for library collections and services will be NE Library: (20 minute walk, 10 minute bus ride via the 90/92 bus from Pennsylvania and 8th Street. Additional NE Library services include:
Two weekly morning story times, one weekly Todler Explorations program, and one weekly “Not a Box” play party.
SE school engagement – outreach, class visits, etc.
Laptop computer and printer/scanning services will be provided at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center several days a week starting in the new calendar year. At present, no books, videos, audio books or book pick-up/drop-off services are planned for the Arthur Capper Center. Estimates are that up to a dozen laptops will be available at the Center, as well as the services to two staffers – “digital navigators.” (Afterward, the ANC unanimously voted to urge DCPL to provide drop-off/pick-up services at Arthur Capper.)
Other interim services at non-library locations:
Weekly Story Time at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue
Outdoor programming in Turtle (Marion) Park and EM Metro Plaza
The former Frager’s Hardware finds a new life in day care. The blue building at 1323 E Street, SE, is morphing into a day care center. The owner, John Weintraub, found a tenant who in the view of neighbors is a welcome addition to the community. A current ANC6B application to rezone the building into residential has been put on hold, even though it appears that a day care center would qualify a legitimate use of the site after rezoning. The ANC doesn’t want to muddy the water until the new enterprise has its Certificate of Occupancy.
Work is already underway inside the building and the build out for the former occupant – Door Dash – has been pretty much demolished.
Capitol Square Bar and Grill at 15th and East Capitol, NE, is in trouble with the neighbors who say blatant noise violations are upending their quality of life. Councilmember Charles Allen has requested the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration to investigate the alleged violations. And three ANCs – 6A, 6B, and 7D – are piling on, considering a letter requesting action against the management because they allegedly violated their Settlement Agreement. The issue comes up in the ANC6B meeting on Tuesday night.
PA Avenue’s new Bike Lanes will be open by month’s end. Last Wednesday, DDOT Project Manager Greg Matlesky told ANC6B’s Transportation Committee, that Phase I of the PA Avenue Southeast Project will be complete by the end of June. He listed the remaining work:
Add bike lane barriers to remaining blocks in East Bound direction
Add correct handrail opening at bus platforms
Install trench drain at 7th Street and PA Avenue, SE
Install pavement markings on boarding platforms.
Now traffic signal configuration
Bike Lane Close signs removed
Phase II from 13th to Barney Circle schedule will begin in 2025.
The Capitol Lounge served its last drink in September of 2020. The current owners – The Conservative Partnership – want to close the alley behind the legendary bar to create what will likely become event space for the organization’s new headquarters comprised of several buildings in the 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Frank D’Andrea told the Committee at its June meeting last Tuesday that the Conservative Partnership’s legal reps have agreed in principle to community benefits to compensate the community for privatizing public property. The committee unanimously agreed to a motion to set up a subcommittee to consider the application to close the alley and consider all issues related to the application. The ANCs are advisory bodies and can only make recommendations, but city regulations require city agencies to give those recommendations “great weight.” In this case, the DC City Council will ultimately decide the fate of the alley closure. The Conservative Partnership is led by former South Carolina Senator Jim Demint, Chairman; and former White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, Senior Partner.
Friday evening The Too Much Talent Band took over the Eastern Market Metro Plaza with their high-energy explosion of jazz, funk, and rhythm & blues. If you missed it, they’ll be back in two weeks according to Brian Ready, Barracks Row MainStreet Executive Director. If you want to know more about them, go here: https://toomuchtalentband.com/
Presentations: DDOT Presentation on 8th Street SE Bus Priority Project; Andrew Grinberg, DDOT Transportation Planner.
New business:
Extreme Pizza, 520 8th Street. Consideration of application for an Entertainment Endorsement for Tavern License.
National Democratic Club (NDC), request to amend the existing SA to increase the hours of operation and sales, service, and consumption of alcohol. Current: Mon-Fri: 11:30am – 1:00am. The requested hours are: Sun-Thur. 7:00 am – 2:00 am; Fri-Sat. 7:00 am – 3:00 am.
202 10th Street, SE: Zoning Adjustment Application to construct a two-story rear addition and roof deck, to an existing, attached two-story with basement.
202 10th Street, SE: Historic Preservation Application to construct a two-story rear addition and roof deck, to an existing, attached two-story with basement.
Consideration of application of LLC affiliated with the Conservative Parnership proposing closing the NE portion of existing alley system in Square 762 behind the former Capitol Lounge.
Discussion on Progress of Rezoning of 1323 E Street, SE, the former Frager’s Hardware.
Resolution on Better Bus Visionary Network (including 96 bus route).
Report for the Southeast Library Task Force.
Report for the Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Task Force
Resolution Supporting SYC/W6MA 4th Annual Back to School Bash at Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
Report for the Special Committee on Public Safety.
Report for Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee.
Wednesday, June 14
ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
To join the meeting, go here:
Among items on the draft agenda:
TBA
Thursday, June 15
Friends of Kingman Park will hold an in person and a virtual meeting at 7:00pm at St. Benedict’s the Moor.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 