Persian Carry Out Coming to Barracks Row

Persian Carry Out Coming to Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Posted September 5, 2024

The latest in Mama Joon’s restaurant/carryout chain is opening at 404 8th Street, Barracks Row, “soon.”  The former Sweet Lobby is being renovated for Persian carryout. 

From the Maman Joon website:  “We take pride in creating authentic Persian food that reflects our heritage.  Our ingredients are always fresh, most of our spices come from Iran, and our menu is lovingly prepared using our treasured family recipes.”

Maman Joon translates to “Dear Mom” – a familiar and respectful form of address in Farsi.. 

This will be the sixth outlet for the chain, owned by Peter Tabibian and Kevin Ejtemai.  The other locations are in Columbia Heights, Tenleytown, Mclean, Tyson’s Corner, and Olney. 

Here’s a link to the Columbia Heights menu:  https://mamanjoonkitchen.com/columbia-heights/

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Mayor’s Order Stops Enforcement of Illegal Commercial Use of Residences

New Jersey Avenue, SE, with the US Capitol at the end of the street, is a prime location for illegal use of residential properties.  Last September, on a community walk of the area with CM Charles Allen, Commissioner Frank Avery said that he and neighbors have identified at least 22 corporate owned properties located on New Jersey Avenue, 1st Street, D Street, and 2nd Street, SE.  See here:  https://bit.ly/45p2pJv  ANC6C submitted a list of 29 residences to DOB in close-in NE which they say are being used for commercial purposes.  Here’s the list:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IBief7ir5EwNahtjvkTxY6CUc2Y7cq4mV1Ht5XvigNs/edit#gid=0

Mayor’s Order Stops Enforcement of Illegal Commercial Use of Residences

by Larry Janezich

Posted Wednesday, September 4

At a community meeting on June 17th, Department of Buildings Director Brian Hanlon told CM Charles Allen, ANC6B Commissioner Frank Avery, Commissioner Jerry Sroufe, and some ten concerned community members that DOB had been instructed directly by the city administrator to cease enforcement actions against use of residences for commercial purposes. 

The problem is acute in neighborhoods near the Capitol in both Southeast and Northeast.  Here, corporations, non-profits, and lobbyists use residences for offices and fund raising events, changing the character of the neighborhoods and disrupting the quality of life for neighbors bringing in unwelcome issues like extra traffic, scarce parking, excessive noise, and post-party trash sitting on the curb waiting – sometimes for days – to be picked up.  Zoning laws generally prohibit use of residential properties for commercial purposes.

Asked to comment on Director Hanlon’s statement, CM Allen replied, “I appreciate the candor and honesty from Mr. Hanlon, but I am deeply frustrated that he’s been ordered by the Mayor to stand down and stop enforcement of these illegal uses.  We continue to see residential properties in our neighborhoods snapped up and used for commercial and business uses.  That’s not just eroding the residential character of a neighborhood, but it’s also allowing businesses to cheat the District out of tax revenue.  With these schemes, they pay lower residential property tax and skip out of the required licensing and registration that we ask of every other local business.  It violates the law and it’s simply not fair.  Since the Mayor has ordered her staff not to enforce the law, that leaves neighbors and ANCs to fend for themselves with one hand tied behind their back.  I’ve talked with Commissioners and neighbors about ideas ranging from bringing in the Attorney General or using the Courts, but without enforcement actions from the Mayor’s office, everything will be much harder than it should be.”

The meeting, which was held at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, was organized by ANC6B Commissioner Frank Avery whose single member district lies closest to the Capitol in SE. 

Avery says, “I offered the Director the meeting only after he/the agency failed to adhere to DC law requiring an acknowledgement and response to letters from ANCs 6B an 6C to the agency asking for a response on the issue regarding the multitude of addresses (in violation of the regulations) previously provided, and the director personally committing to assisting. 

It seems the agency, based on Director Hanlon’s address to neighbors, is operating under a misguided view that enforcement of any kind – from voluntary compliance to issuing basic notices of infraction – are a threat to statehood and congressional relations in ‘the current environment.’  This could be true, except many of these complaints and concerns go back years and years, well before the recent concerns about the political environment on the Hill.”

ANC Commissioner Jerry Sroufe reported after the meeting that “there was considerable agitation about the lack of action or even a plan for action, (with Hanlon) being forced to talk much about resources, structures, and processes.  There was also considerable agitation for a community mobilization or legal challenge to the city.”

ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee will discuss the issue at its virtual meeting Thursday night – September 5th – at 7:00pm.  Here’s a link with info on how to join the meeting: https://anc6b.org/

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Butterworth’s – A French Style Restaurant/Café/Bar to Open on PA Ave SE

The sign announcing the pending arrival of Butterworth’s being installed on Tuesday morning.

Images of what’s going on inside are not available yet. Here’s a photo featuring a detail of the interior design by Studio Lo https://www.studiolo-design.com/  Renovation was completed by Tower 7 Construction.

Butterworth’s – A French Style Restaurant/Café/Bar to Open on PA Ave SE

by Larry Janezich

Posted Tuesday, September 3

Butterworth’s, modeled after the casual French restaurant/café where one hangs out and returns to regularly will open at 319 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in October. 

The group behind Butterworth’s took over the building formerly occupied by Coastline Oyster Company in February.  Before that it was home to ZOCA Mexican Restaurant, Stanton + Greene, Pour House, and Politicki. 

According to a knowledgeable source, the new venture will be a casual hangout, open all day starting at 8am with a coffee program and progressing through the lunch hour and ending with dinner.  The new venture is being billed as a place where quirkiness and creativity are celebrated.  The menu is still being worked out but will have broad appeal, leaning heavily on French cuisine but including grilled cheese and tomato soup.

The owners think Butterworth’s can set the standard for what a business is capable of compared with other hospitality providers on PA Avenue, and for a similar price point.   Butterworth’s will initially open on the first floor and eventually expand to the second floor and basement.  The hope and expectation is that Butterworth’s will become an institution with a lasting relationship to Capitol Hill and DC.  The name comes from the last name of the company’s main investor. 

The restaurant is trying not to give away too much in the press prior to opening.  The current marketing plan is to not explain the concept in advance but rather to create an aura of intrigue to preserve what the owners think is special.

Butterworth’s is waiting for certificate of occupancy and hopes to open in October. 

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The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted Monday, September 2

The pace of renovation has picked up at the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shop next to Peregrine on 7th Street, SE.  Workers say the shop should be open in October. 

Update on renovation of SE Library.  The ground and foundation below the Library have been removed and the building is now completely supported by steel supports and cross bracing.   Photo courtesy of DCPL.  

Here’s the view from under the building looking Southwest.  Photo courtesy of DCPL.   Next, excavation of another level below this one.  Meanwhile, in other Library news, the ANC6B SE Library Taskforce, chaired by Commissioner David Sobelsohn, continues to push for restoration of library services at the Arthur Capper Tech Express.  DC Public Library has scaled back that operation owing to air conditioning issues.  The Taskforce is seeking a meeting with CM Charles Allen to help resolve the issue. 

The former Capitol Valet at 801 East Capitol Street is now the GW Club.  The sign – with the George Washington University logo – says, “A private club:  Invitation only for members and guests.”  Not clear how it will be used – perhaps an alumni benefit?  Since the building was already zoned commercial, it does not fall under the regulations restricting commercial use of residential properties. 

Here’s something new at the Eastern Market Flea Market.  Dartpoker came into being as an idea from Jeremiah Ford’s father, and Jeremiah (above), seeing its potential, got a patent and developed a marketing plan for playing card games on a dart board.  The skill (and luck) of the throw replaces the luck of the draw.  Currently, each board is handmade, but the Ford’s are looking for a sponsor to underwrite production and promotion.  For more, go here:  https://www.facebook.com/dartpokerbydreams2fruitionllc  https://x.com/DartpokerD2F

Here’s Triple Candies’ September installation in the front space of the former Li’l Pub at 655 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  Triple Candie is a research-oriented curatorial agency run by art historian co-founders Shelly Bancroft and Peter Nesbett.  Their purpose is to create alternative exhibition methods making that the object of critical focus rather than what is displayed (which for the most part does not include original artworks).

The Week Ahead…

Highlights:

  • Tavern License for Mott’s Market – Tuesday
  • High Demand, 511 11th Street, SE; New Medical Cannabis Retailer – Tuesday
  • Discussion of a Moratorium on any additional Cannabis Retailers licenses being issued within ANC 6B – Tuesday
  • Community Crime Meeting – Tuesday
  • DDOT Presentation on 8th Street Bus Priority Project Loading Zone – Wednesday
  • EV Charging Locations – Wednesday
  • Discussion on Use RF-1/RF-3 Zoned Residential Properties for Unlicensed Commercial Activities – Thursday

Tuesday, September 3

6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis 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:

  • Mott’s Market, 233 12th Street, SE, new Retailer Class “B” Beer & Wine Store license.
  • Mott’s Market, 233 12th Street, SE, new Retailer Class “C” Tavern license.
  • Saint-Georges, 301 7th Street SE, (new Retailer Class “C” Restaurant license.
  • Bud Love, 1221 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, New Medical Cannabis Retailer.
  • High Demand, 511 11th Street, SE; New Medical Cannabis Retailer.
  • Radici Market, Substantial Change application to change the location of the liquor license to 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (for on-line sales); Request for approval of a stipulated license [6B02].
  • Discussion of modifying the alcoholic beverage license process to apply to Cannabis applications.
  • Discussion of a Moratorium on any additional Cannabis Retailers licenses being issued within ANC 6B.

MPD 1D Community Advisory Committee virtual meeting, 6:00 – 7:15 pm

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://1dcac.com/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

DC Sentencing Commission Discussion on DCSC Process and how your voice can be heard.

Community Safety Walks and Talks and crime discussion.

  • SE and SW parking garage crime.
  • H Streets, NE Crime and Drug concerns.
  • Shootings.
  • Coordination of Police details and community interactions.
  • Navy Yard and M Street, SE and parking garages crime concerns.

Burglaries, Carjackings/Stolen Auto and Homicide follow up.

Policing A Street SE, 14th Place, 15th Street, NE and other areas.

  • 15th and Independence Avenue, SE update.
  • North Capitol Street NE/NW.
  • 5th and D Street, NW.
  • The wharf, SW.

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

For info on how to join the meeting, send request to 6d@anc.dc.gov.

Among items on the draft agenda:

  • Agenda for the full ANC6D meeting on Monday, September 9. 

Wednesday, September 4

ANC6B Transportation 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: 

  • DDOT Presentation on 8th Street Bus Priority Project Loading Zones.
  • Committee discussion of the “Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Access, Readiness, and Sustainability Amendment Act of 2024.”
  • Submission of Suggested EV Charging Locations to DOEE.
  • School Pickup/Dropoff Issues on 11th Street, SE
  • Letter to DDOT Requesting Resident-Only Parking on 1300 Block of Ives Place, SE.

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/hot-topics/

Among items on the draft agenda: 

  • 622 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Application of Dilan Investment for concept approval for new two-story accessory building, enlarged existing rear stoop, and new wood fence with a pedestrian gate.
  • 627 A Street, NE. Application of Kaely Michels-Gualtieri for a special exception from the lot occupancy requirements, a special exception, from the building area requirements, a special exception from the maximum principal dwelling unit requirements, and a special exception from the accessory building use requirements to construct a two-story addition to an accessory building, and to convert the accessory building into a principal dwelling unit, on the same lot as an existing semi-detached two-story flat.
  • 700 A Street NE.  Discussion of proposed letter to HPO re “storm window” exception to permit requirement.

Thursday, September 5

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting 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:

  • 530 5th Street SE Project. Bureau of 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/CAP zone.
  • 530 5th Street SE Project: Historic Preservation 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/CAP zone.
  • 6B05 Zoning Application – TBD.
  • Discussion on Use RF-1/RF-3 Zoned Residential Properties for Unlicensed Commercial Activities.

ANC6A 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 draft agenda:

Community Presentations – TBD

Consent Agenda

  • Motion to approve a grant to Guerilla Gardeners of Washington DC in the amount of $1,000.00 to plant tulips bulbs at Sasha Bruce House at 1022 Maryland Avenue, NE.
  • Motion to approve a grant to Atlas Performing Arts Center in the amount of $1,500.00 to host a free lobby event on November 2, 2024.

Plenary session:

  • Preliminary discussion on a proposed letter to the DC Council and appropriate agencies to improve application process, oversight and enforcement of violations for establishments selling Cannabis and/or Alcohol.  
  • Motion to send a letter of support to the BZA for Bureau of Zoning Adjustment Application for a Special Exception from the height requirements at 1351 C Street, NE.  
  • Motion that ANC6B protest the alcohol beverage license application of Aldi #15 at 801 H Street, NE, unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline.

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

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

Agenda:  TBA

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8

ART WALK:  Over 80 local artists and artisans will display their work in their own micro-galleries, in Capitol Hill home studios, on porches or in yards.

12 noon – 4:00pm.  Free.

For more a list of artists, addresses, and a map of the locations, go here:  https://www.hillrag.com/2024/08/17/art-walk-2024/

Presented by the Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) and cosponsored by the Hill Rag, and the Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS).

World-famous scarves, award-winning paintings of all styles, metal arts, and even a new Capitol Hill Bingo game will be able to be purchased during the art walk.  Many of the artists are clustered along the sidewalks and alleys, making the art walk easy to access within a few blocks and close to several Metro stops (Capitol South, Eastern Market, or Union Station). Rest facilities are available at the Old Navy Hospital, Hill Center.

Sunday, September 8.

Hill Center Event:  AMERICAN ROOTS CONCERTS RESUME:  Jourdan Thibodeau with Cedric Watson & Joel Savoy.  4:30pm-6:30pm.  Free & Outdoors at the Hill Center.  Go here for free tickets:  https://bit.ly/3Xq89BE

Sunday, September 8

Opening:  Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment.  National Gallery of Art – West Building, Main Floor

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Community Group Urges City to Upgrade Eastern Market Security Measures

Community Group Urges City to Upgrade Eastern Market Security Measures

by Larry Janezich

Posted Tuesday, August 28

Concerns about the security at Eastern Market have steadily increased over the past four years.  Those concerns continue to preoccupy the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) and have grown increasingly urgent with the yet-another-delay announced in July regarding the installation of security bollards intended to prevent vehicular attacks on the Market and the adjacent weekend-crowded streets. 

During the last year the EMCAC established an ad Hoc Subcommittee on Public Safety to review a wide range of issues including building code compliance, fire prevention, utility infrastructure, general operations, vendor stalls, ADA compliance, lighting, signage, general security and management support.

EMCAC (Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee) recommends that the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS), in cooperation with the D.C. Department of Homeland Security, with support from an experienced risk and security advisory consultant, take steps to (in order of priority):

  • Conduct a threat assessment of Eastern Market to assess the likelihood and impact of dangers including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorism and other security risks, and the general public safety.
  • Conduct research on how large public markets in other cities have prepared similar public spaces from similar threats.
  • Review and revise the existing Eastern Market Emergency Response Plans and related procedures to ensure that they are aligned to the current risks and threats facing the market.
  • Do an assessment of electrical distribution, water, and gas infrastructure that both addresses the needs of merchants and vendors and ensures public safety.
  • Provide expanded MPD and DGS on-site security as crime deterrents.
  • Create a list of current emergency response resources (and personnel trained to use them) available at Eastern Market and surrounding facilities such as the Rumsey Aquatic Center and MedStar Urgent Care.  Distribute this list to all EM merchants, vendors and staff and provide training with mandatory attendance.
  • Create and make available easily accessible and understandable materials regarding public threats, emergency response, crime deterrents and prevention, health code regulations and violations, etc.  Making this information available could include signage, posters, QR codes, posts on the EM web-site, etc.

EMCAC has tasked itself with developing a timetable for starting and completing these recommendations, providing oversight of the progress on the recommendations, reporting on progress at its monthly meetings, initiating updates with relevant agencies, inviting officials for walkthroughs of the Market, and increasing engagement with relevant stakeholders on public safety and risk reduction. 

EMCAC is the District’s legislatively-established body entrusted with advisory and oversight responsibilities for the operations, management, and renovation of Eastern Market.

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The Week Ahead & Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead & Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 25, 2024

Name change for the former Tyler Elementary.  A new sign announced the change just in time for the start of school on Monday.  On January 9th, 2024, the DC council approved changing the name of John Tyler Elementary to Shirley Chisholm Elementary School.  She was the first Black Congresswoman and the first Black woman to seek a major party’s nomination for president and a strong advocate for early education.

Over on Barracks Row, the in-coming medical marijuana shop at 727 8th Street – Miel Wellness – drew attention this week for the crown of artificial blossoms over their doorway.  The building was formerly the home Soul to Summit sports clothing outlet.  For more on Miel Wellness, go here:  https://mielwellness.com/menu/

ICYMI Also on Barracks Row, Trattoria Alberto is sporting a new coat of hard-to-miss paint.  The restaurant was a favorite of former Speaker of the House John Boehner. 

Another new sign at 215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, confirms the coming of Dos Toros Taqueria to the space formerly occupied by Firehook Bakery.  Dos Toros has outlets in Chinatown and Duport Circle, and multiple locations in NYC.  For more on their menu, go here:  https://www.dostoros.com/menu

New Pasha Café Sweet Shop’s arrival on PA Ave SE appears to be in doubt.  Here’s a photo from last week of the store front at 615 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, sans the Pasha Café Coming Soon and the Now Hiring signs.  Pasha Café, whose coming was announced by a window sign last May, was (is?) to be a sister restaurant to Pasha Castle on M Street in Georgetown, billed itself as a Mediterranean Dessert Shop. 

Last Wednesday, the Italian Air Force flying team Frecce Tricolori did a flyby over DC, starting on the east side of the city with a single east to west pass just south of the National Mall.  Frecce Tricolori are on a tour of North America, the first time since 1992 that their signature red, white and green smoke has been seen over the United States.  The team will perform flyovers of iconic U.S. landmarks in a series of major U.S. cities.  Separately, a local pigeon pictured above the smoke trails did its own flyover. 

The Week Ahead….

Monday, August 26

ANC6B Southeast Library Taskforce will hold a virtual and in person meeting at 6:30pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, second floor, entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s.   

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

Among items on the agenda:

  • Discussion of the renovation and the status of the interim library service at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center.

Tuesday, August 27

ANC 6B Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.

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

Agenda:

  • The committee will set the agenda for the September meeting of the full ANC6B Commission on Monday, September 9th.

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CHAL Reception Saturday and Magic at Lincoln Park on Sunday

Posted August 23, 2024

CAPITOL HILL ART LEAGUE ,,,

AND…

Please join the Friends of Lincoln Park for a kid-friendly magic show starting at 10:00am on Sunday,

August 25th! Abracadabra Alex will perform his magic show that inspires amazement and laughter in kids of all ages. Following the 40-minute show, there will be a magic-themed arts and crafts activity for kids. We hope you can join us and fellow neighbors for an entertaining and magical morning and support our efforts to improve our park!

Location: Lincoln Park, near the Mary McLeod Bethune Statue and between the playgrounds.

Suggested donation: $5 (Venmo or Paypal – donations are tax-deductible)

Hungry after the show? Our friends at Della Barba Pizza will be generously donating 20% of all orders Sunday to the Friends of Lincoln Park when you mention us when placing your order. If placing an online order, please write “Friends of Lincoln Park” in the “Special instructions” text box.

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The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 18, 2024

Barracks Row 7-11 closes suddenly.  Late last week, the Barracks Row 7-11 closed its doors permanently.  A 7-11 employee told Capitol Hill Corner that the reason for closure was because of shoplifting.

Update # 2:  Cease and Desist Order for Safe House Weed Outlet on H Street, NE.  Safe House, at 335 H Street, SE, is just to the left of PhoViet USA in the photo.   On August 8, the DC Board of Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) issued a follow up order affirming its earlier cease and desist order against Safe House, which had been operating as a weed gifting outlet. 

On July 31, ABCA held a meeting to hear an appeal of the cease and desist order of July 3, 2024, by the owners and operators of Safe House. The Board found Safe House to be in violation of cannabis regulations prior to filing for two conditional medical marijuana licenses (retail and on-line), which were subsequently granted. 

However, because they operated as a weed gifting shop before (and apparently after) getting the licenses and because of their inability to explain the nature of transactions involving cannabis, and given the likelihood in the Board’s view that they will continue to operate as a gift shop rather than a medical marijuana dispensary, the Board continued the cease and desist order, holding out the possibility of fines for the business. 

Collecting Memories at the LOC.  A new exhibit at the LOC showcases a collection of intimate records of important moments in individual lives as well as entire societies.  Here a capture of the entrance to the exhibit. 

Among the exhibits is one dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln and contains one of the most signification collections of ephemera the Library’s possession. 

This arresting and poignant exhibit displays the contents of the pockets of President Abraham Lincoln the night he was shot – April 14, 1865. 

Top row:  chamois lens cleaner, white linen handkerchief embroidered with “A. Lincoln” in red thread, silk lined wallet which contained 9 newspaper clippings.

Middle row:  case for glasses and a five dollar Confederate bill – possibly a souvenir of a recent trip to Richmond.

Bottom row:  Eye glasses mended with string, gold quartz watch fob, sleeve button with a gold initial “L” on dark blue enamel, ivory and silver multi-blade pocket knife. 

Also in the exhibit is Lincoln’s handwritten Gettysburg Address, delivered November 19, 1863.  The remarks were written on Executive Mansion stationery in Washington.  Lincoln may have altered the end once in Gettysburg, thus explaining his use of different paper and a pencil on the second page. 

Free same day timed-entry tickets to the LOC are available here:  https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1038417/timedentry-ticket-reservations-washington-thomas-jefferson-building

The Week Ahead…

Thursday, August 22

ANC6A Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis 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: 

  • Motion: That ANC6A protest the license application of Luxury Soil , 775 H Street NE, unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline.
  • Motion: That ANC6A protest the license application of Aldi #15, 801 H Street NE, unless a Settlement Agreement is reached between the ANC and the license applicant prior to the protest deadline.

ANC 6B will hold a virtual special call meeting at 7:00pm for Cannabis License Application. 

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

  • High Demand, 511 11th Street SE.  New license application for a Medical Cannabis Retailer,

Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:

Friday, August 23, 5:30–7:30pm

  • Arab Music and Poetry Night featuring Laith Alattar and Band.  Free | Folger Front Lawn.

Saturday, August 24, 1pm – 3pm. 

  • Opening reception for Capitol Hill Art League exhibit “Seashore,” at Frame of Mind, 545 8th Street, SE.

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ICYMI:  Effort to Recall CM Charles Allen Fails

ICYMI:  Effort to Recall CM Charles Allen Fails

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 13, 2024

ICYMI:  Effort to Recall CM Charles Allen Fails

Organizers of the effort to recall CM Charles Allen acknowledged on Monday that they had failed to get the minimum number of 6425 signatures on the recall petition.  They came up some 900 votes short.  In reality, they needed at least another 1,000 on top of that to be safe from challenges to ineligible or illegible signatures.  And Allen had a team of volunteers ready to check.   

The recall organizers listed a number of reasons for the failure, including citing the unavailability of a mobile application which they claimed the Board of Elections was supposed to provide them to help get signatures.  It would have allowed signees to sign an iPad instead of a piece of paper – but BOE had discontinued the app after 2022.  They also cited aggressive challenges by the pro-Allen organization Neighbors United for Ward 6, headed by former Ward 6 council member Tommy Wells.  Wells filed campaign finance complaints with BOE related to the organizers’ fundraising methods, citing illegal coordination between the campaign and independent expenditure committees and irregularities in employment information provided by campaign contributors.  Also cited was advertising in support of the recall by the DC Police Union without filing as a campaign contributor. 

There were good reasons that the recall effort failed.  Initially, the effort – while it was centered on Capitol Hill – seemed to have considerable momentum.  Once the low hanging fruit of petition signers had been picked, the effort seemed to fade.  There seemed to be little effort in other parts of Ward 6 such as The Wharf or near Northwest. 

Some Ward 6 residents were put off by the involvement of Republicans in the effort amid news reports of national GOP politicians pointing to the recall as evidence that DC was a liberal city which could not govern itself.  A considerable number of large donations came from Republicans and – according to a source familiar with the recall campaign – the DC Republican Party sent petitions and return envelopes to 6000 Republicans in Ward Six. 

And then there’s this:  Allen is popular in Ward 6 and most residents feel they are well represented.  They were not willing to single him out as being responsible for the increase in violent crime that plagued the city in 2023 – the genesis of the recall movement. Three months after the launch of the recall, crime was trending downward in 2024 even before the City Council passed the Secure DC Crime Bill in March.  In the first half of this year, DC has seen one of the steepest drops in violent crime among major U.S. cities. Organizers of the recall built the movement on the crime wave – but offered no solutions of their own, defaulting to a position of supporting more arrests, more convictions, and more incarcerations.   

See also: 

Editorial Part I: What’s Behind the Recall Charles Allen Campaign?  https://capitolhillcorner.org/2024/03/20/editorial-whats-behind-the-recall-charles-allen-campaign/

Editorial Part II:  What’s Behind the Recall Charles Allen Campaign?  https://capitolhillcorner.org/2024/03/21/editorial-part-ii-whos-behind-the-recall-charles-allen-campaign/

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The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted August 11, 1024

Return to the Folger Library… is an occasional feather focusing on some of the most popular exhibits in the new Exhibition Hall.  The much-anticipated Great Hall’s Quill and Crumb café will not open until sometime in September.  The Folger will offer grab-and-go breakfast options, coffee, tea, soups and sandwiches, snacks to eat in the garden, and drinks and light dinner fare in the evenings. 

Artist Mya Golsling is the creator of Good Tickle Brain, a stickfigure webcomic.  She created a whimsical map in keeping with the Folger’s new emphasis that Shakespeare is for everyone:  A Fantastical World of William Shakespeare is a world populated by Shakespeare’s characters in plays grouped according to themes in common. 

A Fantastical World of William Shakespeare.

Key to the Map.

Justice for All?  Legal dramas and political prisoners:  Henry VI, Part 1, King John, Measure for Measure, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, The Two Nobel Kinsmen, The Winter’s Tale.

Cupid’s Estate:  Love is a many splendored (and sometimes disasterous thing):  All’s Well That Ends Well, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, TheTaming of the Shrew; and, Family Therapy: A group for characters with Problematic Fathers:  Hamlet, Henry IV, Part 1, King Lear.

Strange Powers.  Wizards, witches and other magical sorts:  Julius Caesar, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest.

Isle of Tyrants; Murderous self-obsessesive, scheming anti-heroes:  Macbeth, Richard III, The Winter’s Tale. 

Ancient Heroes.  Shakespeare’s many classical pasts: Antony and Cleopatra, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Titus Andronicus, Troilus and Cressida, the Two Noble Kinsmen.

There was other news this past week.

ICYMI.  East City Bookshop suffered major water damage from a leak in the space above last month.  They reopened with limited hours this weekend and owner Laurie Gillman says:  “I’m happy to announce that we’ll be open for limited hours this week, (August 13th  – 16th  ) from noon to 5 pm.  … we’ll be closed Monday, August 12th, for a post-construction deep cleaning. 

We’ll get back to our regular hours on Saturday, August 17th at 10am. To celebrate re-opening, we’re having a sale!  Get 20% off all books in stock, for in-store purchases only–the discount won’t apply to special orders.”

The Palestinian House of Freedom opened up an office in the Penn Medical Building at 600 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, on July 25th, next door to District Taco. 

ANC6C Commissioner Jay Adelstein and his dog Sylvie thank NPS Facilities crew for installing new water fountain in Stanton Park. Photo: Jay Adelstein.

The week ahead is quiet, with no meetings scheduled for ANC 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D or 7D.  Likewise, many community civic meeting and other events are in a midi-August hiatus before gearing up for the fall season starting next month.  . 

However, Tuesday, August 12, is the date the campaign to recall CM Charles Allen has to turn in signatures to get a recall measure on a special election recall ballot. 

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