CAPITOL HILL CORNER

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 2, 2022

The Week Ahead….

Monday, May 2

ANC6C ABC 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:

Renewal Applications. The ABC Committee will hear community feedback regarding the following Restaurant and Hotel license renewal applications currently pending at ABRA.

• Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW
• Café Fili, 701 7th Street, NE
• Shake Shack, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
• Whole Foods Market, 600 H Street, NE
• Fare Well, 406 H Street, ,  NE
• Streets Market, 51 M Street, NE
• Uncle Kenny’s Smokehouse, 732 MARYLAND Avenue, NE
• Nostra Cucina, 320 D Street, NE
• Hotel George/Bis, 15 E Street, NW
• Ethiopic, 401 H Street, NE
• Pho Viet USA, 333 H Street, NE
• The Monocle, 107 D Street, NE
• Le Grenier, 502 H Street, NE
• Charlie Palmer Steak, 101 Constitution Avenue, NW
• 116 Club, 234 3rd Street, NE

Tuesday, May 3

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

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1208 D Street, SE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special Exception to construct a second story accessory garage addition, to an existing, attached, two-story principal dwelling unit.
• 109 11 Street, SE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special Exception to construct a second story, rear addition, to an existing, attached, two-story, principal dwelling unit. 
• 300 G Street, SE.  Historic Preservation Application.  Rear yard two story addition. 
• 639 A Street SE.  Historic Preservation Application.  Two-story addition with cellar, new cellar under existing house, window wells, interior renovation, two-story carriage house to replace one-story garage. 
• 135 Kentucky Avenue, SE.  Historic Preservation Application.  Two-story addition at rear of house, one-story addition on garage. 
• [LATE BREAKING] 139 D Street, SE.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  Special Exception to construct two, second story rear additions, to an existing, attached, two-story with cellar, principal dwelling unit
• [LATE BREAKING] 510 9th Street, SE.  Historic Preservation Application.  Partial third floor roof deck above existing house. New cellar windows and wells on front façade, front steps to be replaced.
• Letter to encourage OP to continue to analyze potential for increased Alley and Accessory Building housing units.
• Rezoning 1323 E Street, SE – Filing Letter to DCOZ.

Wednesday, May 4

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

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Presentation on Upcoming DC Open Streets Events in May and June.  Abraham Diallo, DDOT Ward 6 Community Engagement Specialist.
• DC will host two upcoming Open Streets Events,  (i) on Martin Luther King Boulevard (Ward 8) on Saturday May 21st and  (ii) on 7th Street NW (Wards 2 and 6) on Saturday June 4th.  DC has previously held Open Street events in 2019 and again in 2021 on Georgia Avenue NW.   For more information see https://ddot.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-announces-upcoming-open-streets-event-ward-8  and https://openstreets.dc.gov/
• Notice of Intent (NOI) # 22-135-TSED D Street.  14th Street and Kentucky Avenue, SE.  Intersection Improvements (DDOT presenter to be determined).  Please find attached the Notice of Intent shared by DDOT also available at https://ddotwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NI/pages/2075623432/NOI-22-135-TESD   The period of public comment closes on May 14th.

***

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development 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:

• 420 4th Street, NE.  Zoning Adjustment Application for special-exception relief to construct a single-story garage with roof deck accessory to an existing attached two-story (with basement) flat.
• 227-239 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Historic Preservation Application of Hillsdale College for concept approval for a fourth-floor rear addition to 227 Massachusetts Avenue, alterations and additions to the front façade of 227, and alterations to the plaza in front of 227-239 Massachusetts Avenue. 

Thursday, May 5

ANC6B ABC Committee meets at 7:00pm

For info on joining the meeting, go here:  https://anc6b.org/calendar/

Among items on the draft agenda:

Renewal Applications.

• Matchbox Capitol Hill, 521 8TH Street, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License.
• Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion, 224 D ST Southeast.  Class “C” Club License.
• Beuchert’s Saloon, 623 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Class “CR” Restaurant License. 
• Hunan Dynasty, 215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Class “D” Restaurant License. 
• District Taco, 656 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Class “D” Restaurant License.

                                                                        ***

Friends of Southeast Library will hold their May meeting at 5:30pm, at Southeast Library, lower lever. 

Friday, May 6

CM Charles Allen holds community office hours from 9-10:30 am in Hill East at The Pretzel Bakery, 257 15th Street, SE. 

Saturday, May 7

POSTPONED UNTIL SATURDAY, MAY 14 Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks & Recreation host Cinco De Mayo Party on Eastern Market Metro Plaza with live music and Barracks Row food and drink specials at Barracks Row Main Street Restaurants. 

Music featuring Caña y su Mariachi de Oro – and Latin Band Joe Falero.  11:00am – 5:00pm, rain or shine. 

CHRS Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour Returns May 7 & 8

The Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Mother’s Day House & Garden Tour, will take place Saturday, May 7 & Sunday, May 8. Main Tour hours are Saturday, 4-7 pm, and Sunday, 1-5 pm. It’s a hybrid event this year – with a mix of virtual and in-person house tours, outdoor guided walking tours and more. Note that the new owners of the Churchill Condo featured on the WETA television show “If You Lived Here,” are opening their home for the tour.

Tickets  available until 2:30 pm on May 5 through Eventbrite see details  here https://bit.ly/3Krs9dD  See details here:  https://chrs.org/more-house-tour-2022/. 

Four DC Democratic Candidate Forums at Hill Center During May

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 29, 2022

The Ward 6 Democrats have teamed up with the Hill Rag, the Hill Center, the DC Democrats, the Ward 2 Democrats, and the DC Young Democrats to sponsor a series of four candidate forums during May at Hill Center. 

These discussions will take place weekly on Mondays in May from 7-9 PM at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, two blocks from the Eastern Market Metro stop and near several major bus lines).

May 2 – Dem At Large candidates

May 9 – Dem Attorney General candidates

May 16 – Dem Council Chair candidates

May 23 – Dem Mayoral candidates

The DC primary election is on Tuesday June 21.

Residents with questions should submit them to debate@hillrag.com and indicate in the subject line which forum your question pertains to.

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

RSVP for IN PERSON: https://www.mobilize.us/ward6demsdc/event/450124/

RSVP for VIRTUAL: https://www.mobilize.us/ward6demsdc/event/452556/

All FOUR forums are listed at the RSVP link – just make sure check the box(es) for the forum(s) you want to attend. You can mix & match some virtual and some in person attendance – just RSVP at the appropriate link.

Proof of vaccination is REQUIRED to attend in person.  A 100% check of vaccine cards will be conducted (physical or photo) and IDs at the door.  

Redistricting Hearing:  No Movement on Hill East but for ANC6C It’s a Whole New Ballgame

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 29, 2022

Yesterday, CM Elissa Silverman, chair of the City Council Subcommittee on Redistricting, held a second Subcommittee roundtable to hear community concerns – ward by ward – on the proposed new boundaries for ANC and single member districts.

On Capitol Hill, there was little movement on the contentious issue of a separate standalone ANC west of the Anacostia River comprised of single member districts formerly part of Ward 6 plus Kingman Park.  Last month ANC6A and ANC6B had both voted unanimously to support a standalone ANC on behalf of their former Ward 6 residents.  Ward 7 residents and the east of the river ANC’s are adamant about the creation of two cross river ANCs which make the north and south ends of Hill East part of two existing Ward 7 ANCs. 

There are good arguments for creating a standalone ANC west of the river.  And the arguments that the Subcommittee’s principles of redistricting are met by creating two cross river ANCs seem to be a stretch.  But political and economic considerations far outweigh any practical considerations for a separate Ward 7 ANC west of the river.  The only concession made was indicated by ANC 7F Chair Tyrell M. Holcomb (whose ANC would incorporate the southern end of Hill East) who said the commission had created a task force to oversee development of Reservation 13.  There is a slim chance that some tweaking of the final map by the Subcommittee could build on this initiative to give Hill East residents a greater voice in development of Reservation 13.

On the other end of Ward 6, ANC6C had better luck with a proposed map drawn up to correct some perceived deficiencies in the Ward 6 Task Force map.  Commissioner Mark Eckenweiler  presented an alternative to the Ward 6 Task Force map and the ANC unanimously supported the proposal in a letter to the Subcommittee.  Eckenweiler also lobbied CM Charles Allen who, Eckenweiler said, consulted with Ward 6 Task Force chair Ivan Frishberg.   Eckenweiler told the Subcommittee that Allen supported the map and it was his impression that Frishberg had no objection to the changes.  At his community office hours held at Radici near Eastern Market Friday morning, CM Allen confirmed to CHC thiat he supported Eckenweiler’s map.  That support seems to assure the proposal’s likely endorsement by the Subcommittee.

Here’s what will happen next.  The Subcommittee will vote on the proposed changes to ANC and single member district boundaries on May 17.  Next, the City Council of the Whole will vote on the new map on May 24, followed by a second and final vote on June 7. 

The map goes to the Mayor for signature and then to the Board of Elections for implementation.

The maps recommended by the Ward Task Forces can be found here, at the top of the page.   https://www.elissasilverman.com/redistricting

Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Features Trumpeter Joseph Brotherton

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 28, 2022

The April 29 Friday night Live Jazz performance – 5:00pm to 6:30pm – at Eastern Market Metro Plaza features trumpeter Joseph Brotherton. 

Brotherton started trumpeting at age 8.  After serving for four years as trumpet player in U.S. Marine Corps Band Quantico he became a freelance musician based in DC and is now regular of the local jazz scene, performing up and down the east coast.  He has appeared with a host of music notables (Gregory Porter, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, and Kermit Ruffins) across several genres (R&B, salsa, gospel, studio, fusion and classical).  He has a Wednesday-night residency at JoJo Restaurant & Bar, 1518 U Street, NW.

“Joseph Brotherton is an exciting and spectacular soloist, well-schooled in the tradition, and post-bop concepts. His solos are notable for their clarity, connectivity of ideas, clear articulation, intonation, and tasteful and measured use of his ample technique.” – Jazz Improv Magazine

For more, go here:  https://joebrothertontrumpet.com/index.php/about/

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 for the artists.  

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 24, 2022

The Week Ahead….

Tuesday, April 26

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• 1333 H Street, NE. Discussion of application by Atlas Performing Arts Center for renewal of its Class C Multipurpose License.
• 1125 H Street, NE. Discussion of application by Choongman Chicken and Seafood for renewal of its Class C Restaurant License.
• 1116 H Street, NE. Discussion of application by Milk & Honey Cafe at for renewal of its Class C Restaurant License                                                                            

ANC6B  Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm to set the agenda for the May meeting of ANC6B, on Tuesday, May 10.

For info on how to join, go here:  https://bit.ly/3rNo1hI

                                                                               *** 

Friday, April 29

Live Jazz on Friday Night at Eastern Market Metro Plaza, 5:00pm – 6:30pm.  Featuring Joe Brotherton. 

Blackhawk Helicopters Land at U.S. Capitol for Training Exercise – Photo Essay

by Larry Janezich

U.S. Capitol Police gave fair warning for last week’s training exercise at the U.S. Capitol involving low flying helicopters and emergency vehicles.  The exercise was held in conjunction with federal and local law enforcement and FEMS agencies on a cold and breezy evening last Tuesday. 

Friday Night Live Jazz at Eastern Market Metro Features Elijah Jamal Balbed

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 21, 2021

The April 22 Friday night Live Jazz performance – 5:00pm to 6:30pm – at Eastern Market Metro Plaza features the return of award winning saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed – one of the premiere Jazz artists in the city. 

Balbed and the EJB Quartet were the winners of the 2020 DC Jazz Prix for their performance of Elijah’s “The Karma Suite.”  He has performed with a long list of legendary jazz artists including the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown.  He also performs internationally, in including Japan, the UK, Qatar, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico and Jamaica. 

During the pandemic, Balbed organized a group of musicians to do pop up performances around the city.  When regular performance venues were closed to them they turned to the parks and Metro Plazas to bring music to their fans. 

For more information, go here:  https://www.facebook.com/ElijahJamalJazz  and here https://www.instagram.com/ejbjazz/?hl=en  and here https://twitter.com/ejbjazz .                                     

Next up on Friday Night Live Jazz April 29:  Joe Brotherton. 

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 for the artists.   

Eastern Market Main Street Introduces New Exec Director Ann Blackwell

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 20, 2022

Wednesday night at the first post pandemic in-person gathering of the Eastern Market Main Street stakeholders, Chair Manuel Cortez introduced its new Executive Director, Ann Blackwell.  She succeeds former Executive Director Charles McCaffrey who resigned last October to take a position as Director of Career Services with the Paralyzed Veterans of America. 

Blackwell is both a marketing executive and a small business owner – the founder of DC-based Well Built – a design company that integrates design, commerce and environmental stewardship.  She brings both communication skills and experience developing strategies for sustainable practices to the position.  Her skill set includes “placemaking” – reimagining and reinventing public spaces – as well as management, marketing, business development, public relations, and event planning.  She has worked with museums, municipalities, non-profit agencies and national retailers. 

She says, “As the Executive Director of Eastern Market Main Street, I will have the opportunity to work with members of a vital Washington community. It is a perfect formula of Capitol Hill businesses and classic residences; with DC’s iconic, historic Eastern Market as the centerpiece”.

Blackwell has a BFA in Art and Design from the University of Iowa, a Graduate Studies in Architecture from UCLA and recently completed a Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) in the Business of Art and Design from the Maryland Institute of College and Art (MICA).

Out and About – Everything Is Coming Up Yellow – A Photo Essay

By Elizabeth Eby

Posted April 19, 2022

Everything is coming up yellow!  Daffodils, pansies, crocus, and forsythia are golden yellow.  They share common pollinators – insects with poor vision and are blind to colors other than yellow or white.  In addition to the golden color, daffodils have trumpets or rings of highly contrasting color around the stamen to direct the pollinator to the sweet spot.  

Some people love this shade of yellow but others call it harsh.  Some think daffodils glow in the dark and people speculated that they generated electricity or phosphorescence.  This went on until a 20th century German scientist explained that it is an optical illusion, the result of how our eyes perceive bright yellow in the twilight.  William Wordsworth’s famous daffodil poem was inspired by a walk through a huge field of wild daffodils one evening when he and his sister experienced this phenomenon.