Category Archives: Uncategorized

The concert series will continue through the end of October and comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation.  CM Charles Allen secured funding in the current FY DC Budget to program the performance space at the Plaza.   

Out and About – Renwick Gallery 50^th Anniversary Show Part 1:  Ceramic Houseware

by Elizabeth Eby

Posted July12, 2022

The current 50th Anniversary Show at the Renwick gallery is fabulous.   It is just impossible for me to choose one favorite object so I decided to write about objects I like that I can relate to one another and tell you the stories and makers behind them.  The Renwick is at 17th and Pennsylvania, Ave NW. 

Pots, pots, pots.

This group of three ceramic pots tells a story about modernizing traditional craft.  Each of them takes a traditional pottery form and makes it unique to the person who made it.  Work that shows the artist’s handprint is one part of the definition of the modern craft movement.  This isn’t anything new, but the pride it shows to claim imperfection in fine art is radical.      

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted July 10, 2022

 

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted July 10, 2022

The Week Ahead…

Monday, July 11

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Alcohol Beverage Committee

New License Applications:

• Morrow Hotel / Le Clou / Vesper / Upstairs at the Morrow, 222 M Street, NE. Retailer’s Class “C” Hotel License.
• Pupatella Pizza, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Retailer·s Class ·’C’ Restaurant License.

Renewal Applications.

• Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW.
• Po Boy Jim, 709 H Street, NE.
• DC Harvest, 517 H Street, NE.
• Cane, 403 H Street, NER.
• Butter Chicken Company 3, 601 2nd Street, NE.
• The Little Grand, 808 7th Street, NE.

                                                                               ***

Tuesday, July 12

ANC6B will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Calendar

Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee License Renewals

• Sonoma, 223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License.
• National Republican Club of Capitol Hill , 300 1st Street SE. C-Club License.
• Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License.
• Ophelia’s Fish House, 501 8th Street, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License.
• Bombay Street Food 2, 524 8th Street, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License.
• Boxcar Tavern, 224 7th Street SE. Class” CR” Restaurant License.

Presentations:  Michael A. Carter – DPW Interim Director

Legislative Calendar

Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee Licenses

New License:

• Fight Club Restaurant, 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Request for New “CR” License. 

Renewals:

• The Ugly Mug Saloon/Valor Brew Pub, 723 8th Street, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License.
• Le Pain Quotidien, 666 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class D License. 
• Aatish On The Hill, 609 Pennsylvania Avenue,   Class “CR” Restaurant License.

Planning and Zoning Committee

• 323 10th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: Construct a new detached 2-story accessory structure. 
• 1007 8th Street, SE (The Brig). Historic Preservation Application.  Concept; Proposed commercial deck addition in front yard.  
• 409 East Capitol Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application.  Concept: Add a rear addition to an existing building.

Resolution Regarding the District of Columbia’s Role as a Safe Haven for Reproductive Health Services – Introduced by Commissioner Horn.

                                                                        ***

Wednesday, July 13

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Calendar – TBA

Alcoholic Beverage Committee

• TBA

Transportation and Public Space Committee

• 1150 First Street NE. Construction permit application for new curb cut on Pierce Street, NE to a private alley All other improvements previously approved.
• 1325 Second Street, NE. Public Space Application.  Shrubs, ground cover, lead walk specialty paving, planters, water feature in public space. The existing canopy protection will be refinished with new material.
• 301 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Pupatella Pizza, Report on neighborhood public space meeting. 

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee

• 1109 Congress Street, NE Zoning Application. Modification of Consequence to allow alternative affordable housing, with residential units for households earning no more than 60% of mean family income (All-Affordable Option). Applicant seeks time extension of the construction start date to June 26, 2024.
• 227-239 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application – Amended application for alterations and additions to the front façade of 227 and alterations to the plaza in front of 227-239.
• 301 Florida Avenue, NE. Zoning Application.  Application for a consolidated PUD to construct a new 12-story plus penthouse mixed-use building with 115 dwelling units, all affordable to income levels at or below 50% AMI and ground level space dedicated to nonresidential use. The applicant seeks to amend the Zoning Map to the MU-30 district.

                                                                                 ***

Thursday, July 14

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

For info on how to join the meeting go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/

Community Presentation:

• Andre L. Wright, Assistant Chief of Police, MPD, Patrol Services South Bureau.

Consent Agenda

Community Outreach Committee

• ANC6A letter requesting a public restroom at 8th and H Street, NE, and to DPW to request a process for removal of biohazards.

Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee

New License

• Recommendation that ANC6A protest the new license application of Old City Cafe unless a Settlement Agreement is entered into prior to the protest date.

License Renewals

• Recommendation that ANC6A protest the license renewal application of Sticky Rice/Sing Sing Karaoke Palace unless an updated Settlement Agreement is reached prior to the protest date.
• Recommendation that ANC6A protest the license renewal application of Kitchencray H LLC unless an updated Settlement Agreement is reached prior to the protest date.
• Recommendation that ANC6A protest the license renewal application of Crab Boss LLC unless an updated Settlement Agreement is entered into prior to the protest date.

Transportation and Public Space Committee

• Recommendation that ANC6A write a joint letter with ANC 6C to DDOT with post completion requests for the Maryland Avenue Project, including no right turn on red signs; prioritizing bicycles and pedestrians in this corridor; and remedying the dangerous exit into a steep bioswale on certain blocks.

                                                                                       ***

Friday, July 15

Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza features jazz vocalist Landon Paddock – 5:00pm – 6:30pm.  

July 8 Friday Night Jazz at EM Metro Features Paul Bailey on Trumpet

by Larry Janezich

Paul Bailey is the featured jazz artist at this week’s Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza from 5:00pm until 6:30pm. 

Bailey performs and preserves jazz as artist, composer, arranger, teacher, clinician, and mentor.  A DC native, Bailey has played in an array of jazz venues including Blues Alley, the Obama White House, Bohemian Caverns, Twins Jazz, An Die Musik in Baltimore, Mintons in New York City, The Bop Stop and Nighttown in Cleveland and Blu Jazz+ in Akron.  

For more on Bailey, go here:  https://www.facebook.com/manwiththehorn and

The concert series will continue through the end of October and comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation.  CM Charles Allen secured funding in the current FY DC Budget to program the performance space at the Plaza.   

Capitol Hill July 4^th Parade – A Photo Essay

by Larry Janezich

Posted July 5, 2022

This year’s July 4^th Parade on Barracks Row was notable for the participation of political candidates and their supporters.  That’s not to say they took over the parade, but still….  Capitol Hill residents turned out in force to celebrate the holiday.  Note the final video of the crowd scene at the midpoint of the parade. 

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted July 3, 2022

The Week Ahead…

Community organizations seem to be struggling to get back on their feet next week.  CHC will post updates as additional information becomes available.  Here’s what we have so far:

Monday, July 4

Independence Day.  DC Government closed.  No trash or recycling pickup.

Tuesday, July 5

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 323 10th Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept: Construct a new detached 2-story accessory structure.
• 1007 8th Street, SE, (The Brig). Historic Preservation Application.  Concept; Proposed commercial deck addition in front yard.
• 409 East Capitol Street, SE. Historic Preservation Application.  Concept: Add a rear addition to an existing building.

Wednesday, July 6

ANC6B Transportation Committee:  No meeting in July.

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

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6c.org/july-2022-virtual-meeting-details/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1109 Congress Street, NE. Zoning Application of MED Developers, LLC for a modification of consequence a modification of consequence to provide the Applicant flexibility to pursue an alternative affordable housing program where all residential units in the project would be set aside for household earning no more than 60% of mean family income (All-Affordable Option).  If pursued, this All-Affordable Option would replace the current inclusionary zoning and affordable housing requirement to be constructed in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity.
• 227-239 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application.   Amended application of Hillsdale College for concept approval for:  alterations and additions to the front façade of 227, and alterations to the plaza in front of 227-239 Massachusetts Avenue. 
• 301 Florida Avenue, NE. Zoning Application of NRP Properties, LLC for a consolidated PUD to construct a new 12-story plus penthouse mixed-use building at premises 301 Florida Avenue, NE.  The proposal will include 115 dwelling units, all of which will be affordable to income levels at or below 50% AMI, and 2,873 sq. ft. of ground level space that will be dedicated to a non-residential use.

Thursday, July 7

ANC6B Alcohol Beverage Control Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

New License:

• Fight Club Restaurant, 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.: Class “CR” Restaurant License. The establishment will be a restaurant serving classic sandwiches as well as some more substantial dishes. Total Occupancy Load of 70 with seating for 50, to include a Sidewalk Café with 10 seats.

ABRA Renewal License:

• Sonoma, 233 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café,
• Bombay Street Food 2, 524 8^th Street, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café.
• The Ugly Mug Dining Saloon/Valor Brew Pub. 723 8^th  Sreet, SE.  Class “CR” Restaurant Brewpub Cover Charge Entertainment Sidewalk Café. 
• National Republican Club of Capitol Hill. 300 1ST Street, SE.  Class “C” Club License. 
• Henry’s, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café,
• Ophelia’s Fish House, 501 8th Street, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café.

ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Construction Permit Application, 1150 1st Street, NE. DDOT TOPS for a new curb cut entrance on Pierce Street, NE, to a private alley. All other improvements were previously approved under a previous permit.
• Construction Permit Application, 1325 2nd Street, NE. DDOT TOPS – Project scope includes planting of shrubs and groundcover, lead walk specialty paving, planters and, and water feature in public space.  An existing canopy projection will be refinished with new material.

Friends of Southeast Library will hold their monthly meeting at 5:30pm at Southeast Library.

by Larry Janezicn

Posted June 30, 2022

Zach Cutler returns to Eastern Market Metro Plaza on Friday night, July 1, with Ace Ono, Micah Robinson, Frank Javois and Biscuit Bynum. 5:00pm to 6:30pm. Free. Musicians are welcome to sit in.

Artist’s statement:  I am a professional musician based in DC, mostly gigging on acoustic and electric guitars. I play mostly Funk/Soul/R+Bish stuff, but I’m captivated by anything with a groove, from metal to journeyman country. I’m also a devout funkateer and record collector, always out to discover new nibbletts of funk in any medium I can. People I have worked with include: Raheem DeVaughn, Melanie Fiona, The Impressions, Alison Carney, W. Ellington Felton, Zo!, Eastern Standard Time, Sy Smith, Kenny Wesley, Tamara Wellons, N’Dambi, Chuck Brown, Yahzarah, Ab, J.Hill, Terrence Cunningham, Green Tea, The Cornel West Theory, N’Digo Rose, MC Lyte, Jay Hayden, Tamika Jones, and too many other amazing musicians!  – Zach Taylor

Sex Workers Near J.O. Wilson School at 7^th & K Streets NE Alarm Residents

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 30, 2022

Monday night, residents near the J.O. Wilson Elementary School at 7^th and K Streets, NE, pleaded with city officials for help with problems associated with sex workers in the area.  The school is on the 700 block of K Street, two blocks north of the Whole Foods on H Street NE. ANC6A’s Community Outreach Committee (COC) chaired by resident member Roni Hollmon, sponsored the virtual forum to discuss sex work issues.  More than 40 attended or participated in the meeting. 

Issue stakeholders spoke of their sometimes-conflicting approaches to dealing with the problem before the Committee unanimously agreed to send a letter to city officials requesting help.  City officials who were present pledged varying degrees of assistance to address a long-standing neighborhood problem which has defied the city’s previous efforts to address.

The issue is not new.  CHC reported similar complaints of a dozen residents at a Police Service Area 104 meeting in September of 2015.  See here:  https://bit.ly/3y9G83L

Resident Leo Godunov spoke on behalf of some of the K Street neighbors and said a recent increase in activity of and interactions with prostitutes has heightened concerns.  He cited verbal and nonverbal intimidation of residents, drug activity, occasional violence against sex workers, gun issues, casually discarded used condoms and latex gloves, human waste, syringes and trash.  He said the problem is complex and acknowledged that a solution requires empathy while appreciating that the impact on the quality of life for residents is severe. 

CM Charles Allen attended the meeting and said he is concerned about reports of increased instances of conflict between residents and sex workers, adding, “There is not one thing that can be done and then all of the sex workers on K Street will just no longer be there.”  He favors a holistic approach involving several city agencies and said he looks to MPD to see what their roles and strategies are.  Regarding condoms and human waste, he suggested that the Department of Public Works could concentrate clean-up efforts on certain blocks.  He said DPW could address illegally parked cars near 8^th and H Streets that may be associated with the drug trafficking at that location and the area.     

Celeste Duffie from DPW was also at the meeting responded, saying DPW would be happy to do that within the guidelines for handling bio hazards, but added that addressing these problems “was more than a simple 311 call.”  She said she believed that DPW clean-up of bio hazards was explicitly prohibited.  Allen said he thought DPW could implement a system based on its current method of dealing with animal waste. 

MPD Captain Zdenek Fronek of the Fifth District called the 7^th and K/8^th and K area a “hot spot” and said 8th and K is known as transgender prostitute market: “Prostitutes come from Maryland, customers from Northern Virginia.”  According to Fornek, the best way to address this issue is to detail officers to the area.  “Unfortunately,” he said, “we are unable to do that as we have an unprecedented increase in violent crime in 5D.  The prostitution problem is most prevalent 10pm – 5am during the weekend and that is also the busiest time for responding to violent crime.”  Fronek has requested that the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division (NSID) conduct operations in area and is waiting to hear back.  “We’re going to make several arrests,” he said, “but they’re going to be back the next day.  So this is not the solution.”  He hopes to have someone out there on a bike during the weekend “when we get the personnel.” 

Lieutenant Araz Alali of the MPD 1st District which abuts the 5^th District nearby said he would increase the level of law enforcement and create a more visible presence – “the Crime Suppression Unit will run more enforcement and sting ops there…double down on people soliciting, facilitating and seeking sex services.”  But, he allowed, every district is challenged with man power.    

Chelsea Ricker, Board Member of HIPS (a sexual and reproductive rights advocacy group) said, “I can’t overstate how strongly I advise you against this approach which further criminalizes very marginalized people and places them at further risk of harm,” adding, “It will only escalate the situation.”  HIPS believes the best way to protect sex workers is to decriminalize sex work. 

ANC6A Commissioner Keya Chatterjee asked Alali if officers were trained to deal with sex workers and how MPD assures these women are not being victimized by police.  She cited recent reports of an allegation that a police officer forced a sex worker to have sex at gun point. 

Alali said such allegations result in officers being put on non-contact with the public status.  He couldn’t talk about pending cases and said that such allegations are handled by MPD Internal Affairs.  He offered that officers involved in enforcing sex trafficking laws take classes and are trained – and asserted that they are skilled officers.    

Ricker of HIPS pointed out the confusion of terminology between adults having consensual sex and sex trafficking and said it was not clear that sex trafficking was occurring in the community:  “If you’re concerned about sex trafficking your best ally in preventing that are sex workers” who otherwise would work with police to eliminate trafficking. 

Alali said his point is, that MPD is here to enforce the law and prostitution and sex solicitation in DC is still against the law. 

Ricker, who lives in the neighborhood, said the sanitation issues were unfortunate and asked the focus be placed on sex worker problems: poverty, the pandemic, survival tactics, economic health, and mental health.  She said, “If you’re concerned about sex workers, we have mobile outreach staffed by volunteers and residents are welcome to raise issues with HIPS.”  HIPS provides services to sex workers, including a drop-in center, medical services, OD prevention, laundry, a closet, and showers. They connect sex workers with affordable housing and have a decriminalize campaign. 

Resident Marc Friend suggested a letter to DPW asking for additional clean ups, a needle drop for the area, and that 8^th and H be included in a just-started public restroom pilot program.  In addition, he suggested the community increase its efforts to work with HIPS, consider giving them an ANC6A grant, and urge volunteers to help. 

Commissioner Keya Chatterjee said she was sympathetic with the plight of sex workers, but “sex work around schools is intolerable and the hazardous waste is very concerning.”  She moved the Committee recommend the full ANC6A send DPW a letter asking them to establish an easy process to request removal of used condoms and human waste, provide a needle drop, and provide public restrooms at 8^th and H Streets.  The motion passed unanimously. 

In addition, Jasmine Colton, a Ward 6 representative of the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations, said she would schedule a walkthrough of the area with DPW, the ANC, neighbors, HIPS, and the MPD to point out specific areas of concern.

Ricker said that HIPS said is in a position to ask sex workers to move away from schools. She said she was “not sure it will come to anything, but we will see what we can do.  Through building relationships you get change you want.  We will see what we can do.” 

Out and About – The Power of Craft

By Elizabeth Eby

Posted June 27, 2022

The Renwick is the Smithsonian Museum dedicated to American craft.  This year marks the museum’s 50th anniversary.  A fabulous anniversary show, The Present Moment, is on view now through April 2, 2023.  The show is remarkable.  More about that later (next week).

I’m posting this today so you can read it before the Fourth of July. This particular object is full of meaning related to the freedom and independence we celebrate with the American flag on July 4.     

Yes, it is a dish towel.  This dish towel was hung as a flag of truce by Confederate troops during Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.  General George A. Custer was there and preserved it for the future.  His widow, Elizabeth Custer donated it to the Smithsonian.

I was so stunned by the intensity of Sonya Clark’s installation that I failed to note its dimensions.  

Hanging on the wall above it is a quotation from Sonya Clark: “Why do we know the Confederate Battle Flag instead of the Confederate Truce Flag that marked surrender, brokered peace, and was a promise of reconciliation? What would it mean to the psychology of this nation if the Truce Flag replaced the flag associated with hate and white supremacy?”

Defining Craft

Craft is a hard term to define.  What separates it from fine art?  Monumental is a good example   It would look out of place at the National Gallery or the Museum of American History.  Before the Renwick you might have found it in an anthropology museum.  The aesthetics of craft include humility and the artist’s fingerprint (surely there must be at least one thread out of place in this weaving), and even humor.

Monumental recognizes the meaning of that dish cloth but it also talks about the symbolism we can attach to a piece of cloth.

Out and About is an occasional photo feature by artist, photographer, gardener, and Capitol Hill resident Elizabeth Eby.  She finds vignettes while out and about on or near Capitol Hill.

 

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

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 26, 2022

The Week Ahead…

ANC6A Community Outreach Committee meeting will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/ 

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Forum on Sex Work Issues near J.O. Wilson Elementary School
• Community Comments

Tuesday, June 28

ANC6A Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

To join the meeting, go here:  https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/    

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Discussion of application by Sticky Rice/Sing Sing Karaoke Palace at 1222 – 1224 H Street, NE, for the renewal of a Class C Restaurant License.
• Discussion of application by Kitchencray at 1301 H Street, NE, for the renewal of a Class C Restaurant License.
• Discussion of application by Crab Boss at 1001 H Street, NE, for the renewal of a Class C Restaurant License.
• Discussion of application by Old City at 1307 H Street, NE, for a new Class C Restaurant License.

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

To join the meeting, go here: https://bit.ly/3u3fIiW

Agenda:

• To set the agenda for the ANC6B July meeting on July 12

Friday, June 29

• Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Plaza from 5:00pm – 6:30pm, featuring Zachary Cutler – Guitar.  For more info, go here:  https://www.facebook.com/zachcutler