CAPITOL HILL CORNER

The Week Ahead..Photos & Help Name the Folger Library Cafe

By Larry Janezich

Posted February 11, 2024

A Go Fund Me effort to raise $150,000 to keep Barracks Row’s Queer café/bar in business has raised $165,000 in six days.  The owners made the appeal for urgent support as they faced some financial hurdles after a slow season at the end of last year.  The funds raised will go toward catching up on overhead costs and debts.  Here’s a link to the Go Fund Me page:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-as-you-are

Barracks Row MainStreet Executive Director Brian Ready led the Second Line Band in a sidewalk parade on Barracks Row Friday Night to kick-off weekend activities celebrating Mardi Gras.

The shelves are stocked and the new Eighth Street Beer Wine Spirit at 725 Barracks Row looks set to open.

The iconic Barracks Row building at 8^th and G SE – the former home of landscape architects Oehme van Sweeden is up for sale.  The asking price is $5.5 million, and includes the adjacent and attached row house on G Street (far right).  The former bank (built in 1900) and the row house combined total 7,000 square feet. 

According to Wiki, notable works of the landscape firm include the National World War II Memoria and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial.

Here a view of the building’s first floor looking toward 8^th Street.  Image credit: Real estate companies  MLS images.

Here are the winners in Hill Center’s 2024 Regional Juried Exhibition.  1^st Place:  “Uplift” by Abol Bahdori; 2^nd Place: “ADHD Enter Formula” by Jeff Bohlander; 3^rd Place: “Golden Hour” by Cincin Fang.  Image credit:  Hill Center.

The Week Ahead..Photos & Help Name the Folger Library Cafe

By Larry Janezich

Posted February 11, 2024

Monday, February 12

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

For info on how to join the meeting, go here:  https://www.anc6d.org/virtual-meetings/

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Community Concerns
• Public Safety Report from MPD
• DPR Summer Camp and Town Center Park Updates
• TOPP Planning
• Additional Trash Can Requests
• Cherry Blossom 5K
• Purple Stride 5K
• ABCA Applications
• Chair’s Report

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

ANC6B will hold an in-person and virtual meeting at 7:00pm. 

Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First 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 draft agenda:

• Presentations
  • Scott Goldstein, Executive Director of EmpowerEd
• Community & Commission Announcements
• Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
  • Update on status of Settlement Agreements for  No Kids Allowed, 637B Pennsylvania Avenue SE; New Medical Cannabis Retailer; DC Dash, 727 8th Street SE, New Medical Cannabis Retailer; UpnSmoke 427 8th Street SE, New Medical Cannabis Retailer.
• Transportation Committee
  • Request to Endorse Report on Sidewalk Safety
  • Request for ANC Support: Capitol Hill Classic 2024
  • Testimony for Council Oversight Hearing on DDOT
  • Letter Regarding Traffic Safety Input at 14th & C Street SE
• Planning and Zoning Committee
  • 1362 K Street, SE Project.  Zoning Adjustment Application.  To construct a two-story addition to an existing accessory building, of an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
  • 633 E Street, SE Rear Project.  Historic Preservation Application.  To construct a two-story addition to an existing accessory building, of an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
  • Update from Subcommittee on Alley Closings
• Public Parks and Recreation Spaces Task Force
  • Response to CM Allen Regarding MOA on Management of Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park
  • Support for Request for Pickleball Space at VA Avenue /Garfield Park
• ANC 6B Administrative Matters
  • Election of ANC 6B Representative to the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee
  • Appointment of ANC 6B Resident Members and Alternates
  • Election of Committee and Taskforce Chairs

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Community Speakers

• TBD, Prologis
• TBD, Pepco

DC Government Updates/Presentations

• Lawrence Davlin, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services (MOCRS) Ward 7 Representative
• Francis Campbell, Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray

Community Presentations

• Tara Morrison, Superintendent, National Capital Parks East
• Kathy Harrison-Crews, Parking Enforcement, DC Department of Public Works

Public Safety Committee (Chair Brynn Barnett)

• January 2024 Committee Meeting Update

New Business

• Recommended Motion: ANC 7D send a letter to relevant DC Government Offices requesting enforcement of DC traffic violation reciprocity.
• Letter to Zoning Commission Regarding Hearing Rescheduling Date Request for ZC 23-28 beyond March 11, 2024
• Letter to Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) Reaffirming ANC 7D Support for an Anacostia River Arboretum Bridge
• Resolution in Support of Extending the DC Streetcar

Wednesday, February 14

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

Consent Calendar

• TBD

Transportation and Public Space Committee

• Bus priority/safety improvements on H St NE (3rd St. to Benning Rd.)
• Request for resident-only parking on certain blocks
• Public alley closure, C St. NE
• Proposed Capital Bikeshare station at 601 Mass. Ave. NE
• Capitol Hill Village/sidewalk survey
• Union Station expansion project update

Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee (Mark Eckenwiler, Chair)

• 700 A St. NE (installation of plastic panels on exterior of stained-glass windows)

Capitol Hill Corner would like you to know about:

Help name the new Folger café

When the Folger reopens on June 21, it have a brand new café in the Great Hall. 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.  The Folger would like to crowdsource the name of the café.

They are looking “for clever wordplay worthy of the building that houses the world’s largest Shakespeare collection.” Poetic turns of phrase that fit having coffee or a snack just steps from the stacks of rare books. Folger staff will share their favorites starting February 16 for Folger followers to vote on.

The form below will close at 11:59pm ET on February 12. Check back on February 16 to vote for the finalists.

https://www.folger.edu/blogs/folger-story/help-us-name-the-new-folger-cafe

A panel discussion moderated by CM Charles Allen discussed the causes of juvenile carjackings at a community meeting held at Hill Center. 

Editorial: The New “Joy Ride”: Carjacking in the District

by Larry Janezich

On Tuesday, January 30 The Hill Rag sponsored a panel discussion on the spate of young people committing the crime of carjacking.  Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, who moderated the discussion, said that understanding the “why” was necessary in order to identify measures to curb carjacking.

The panel included MPD First District Commander Colin Hall, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb, “Guns Down Friday” founder Jawanna Hardy, “Credible Messenger of Building Blocks DC” Reginald Mathis, and foster parent and advocate Kevin McGilly.

In opening remarks, Allen informed the audience that in “2023, there were 958 carjackings in DC, a 100% increase over 2022 – 77% involved a gun. Of those arrested, 62% were juveniles.

Allen then repeated his formula for addressing DC’s crime issues: “We both have to ensure accountability…and we have to work to prevent violence in the first place.”  He said, “People who commit harm by carjacking…no matter what the age, have got to have consequences and accountability.”  The Ward 6 community Allen represents would likely agree.  But the panel discussion revealed how accountability is perceived from the perspective of those who deal directly with youth offenses.

Most of the carjacking discussion centered on the question of “why?”  Commander Hall, MPD 1st District, says it’s because kids in troubled homes use carjacking as a means to build status and reputation in their peer group, often posting their crimes on social media.  He added that some juvenile carjacking behavior is baffling: numerous carjackings in one night, each time the vehicle being driven only a short distance.

DC Attorney General Schwalb said that it’s the disconnect between a particular young person and the protective factors which satisfy human needs of belonging, including family, home, and school.  He added that “celebrating the joy of stealing cars” is a factor, as is easy access to guns.

Credible Messenger Reginald Mathis of pointed to dysfunctional homes that encourage young people to develop “trauma bonds” with peers, sometimes resulting in peer pressure to commit these offenses.

McGilly agreed that young people carjack because it gives them status in their peer group and on social media and because there are no consequences.

Accountability

Accountability in most juvenile justice systems is interpreted as punishment or adherence to a set of rules laid down by the system, and that’s the definition the community likely thinks of when it hears the term.

But among criminal justice professionals, accountability starts at an institutional level.

Jawanna Hardy of ”Guns Down Friday” says there is no accountability for the government or the programs that are supposed to provide assistance but fail, or from schools, or from parents. The city is reportedly “resource rich.”  Yet Hardy describes having to “scramble for resources” like financial assistance:  her organization relies on donations as well as Building Block grants for funds to transport kids to school who are trying to avoid violence occurring between “beefing” young people in neighborhoods.  Hardy also lamented the lack of accountability from schools and parents regarding truancy.  The most recent data – according to Allen – shows a significant increase in chronic truancy and absenteeism among DC’s high school students:  a 60 percent chronic absenteeism rate and a 47 % truancy rate.  Pre-pandemic, both were about 30%.  While there is no single “cause” of carjacking, it does not seem possible to separate the increase in the offense rates with the pervasive problem of truancy.

Deterrence

Hill Rag on-line editor Liz O’Gorek – who wrote two articles on juvenile carjacking which resulted in Tuesday evening’s panel – told the group: “The goal of DC criminal justice system is to prevent kids from reoffending – not to punish them – to protect their future from their past.”

DC Attorney Schwalb summarized criminal justice research on the deterrent capacity of criminal penalties:  “We know that when we want to see deterrence in a system we need to have prompt arrests and certain swift consequences.”  He added that when “so many cases are not cleared we have a challenge in the criminal justice system.”

Several factors get in the way of “certain and swift consequences” for youth carjacking.  First, these offenses have a low arrest rate and a low case closure rate because of the difficulty of identifying masked perpetrators.  Another factor is the low rate of prosecutions of arrested juveniles.  Schwalb says that the MPD arrest standard of probable cause is different from the standard of due process – or proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt.  He says, “We will not charge if we can’t in good faith prove beyond a reasonable doubt.”  This usually requires evidence from a reliable eyewitness, a cooperating witness, a camera, or social media evidence on phones of suspects.  Without these, there is usually not enough evidence to charge on the day of arrest.  Parent and advocate Kevin McGilly related a personal experience of his foster son when a case was dropped.  McGilly lamented there was no referral to a diversion program which served to show other young people that criminal offenses often carry no consequences.

Another obstacle to criminal deterrence is expense.  DC Attorney Schwalb says prevention should be the focus.  “If we want to be safer in the long run we cannot prosecute and arrest our way out of it.  Even doing our best…we’re go to be having this same conversation if we don’t focus on the need to change the underlying conditions including housing, health, education, economic and job development, and mental health support – that’s what a whole of government approach looks like.  Prosecutors can’t solve social issues,” he warned.

Schwalb also alluded to crime legislation pending before the city council which expands pre-trial detention for some juveniles and adults (which was made temporary for 225 days before passage on Tuesday).  He asked, “Are we ready to commit to build more detention facilities and are we willing to acknowledge when we lock young people up and put them in places where they are at risk, sometimes we cause harm?  That has a cost to society.”

In a subsequent Ward Six Update distributed to constituents, Allen offered his take on where the discussion of youth carjacking leads. According to Allen, the District needs to immediately adopt a strategic gun violence reduction plan and Executive Branch agencies must coordinate and focus on the small number of chronic offenders who are responsible for most violent crime.  This strategic plan was commissioned in 2021 https://bit.ly/3SyvBsK  and an update of that report released this week examined how the District has failed to take aggressive steps to implement that plan. https://bit.ly/4bw6QGG

In addition, Allen noted the upcoming vote in the city council on the Omnibus Crime Bill (which passed 12 – 1 on Tuesday, February 6) contained several provisions which he supported, including strengthening carjacking laws which he said would help hold people accountable, and adding many of the increased gun use penalties that had been included in the previous criminal code revision which were blocked from becoming law by Congress.

At the end, there were answers about the why of juvenile carjacking but it was harder to say why carjacking (958) and homicides (274) exploded in 2023.  MPD says it’s because of a shortage of officers.  But the resignations from the force often cited by the police union for FYs 2020 – 2023 only amounted to an additional average 27 officers a year above the 100 resignations a year for FYs 2018 and 2019.  The shortage in officers appears to be the result of lack of ability to hire recruits to replace officers who have resigned, retired, died, became disabled, reached the maximum age, or were terminated.  The average hiring rate for FYs 2018 and 2019 was 330 hires each year.  The average for FYs 2020 – 2023 was 217 a year.  Other cities (NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit) have suffered similar declines in their police forces and their crime rates – including homicides – have dropped.  What was different about DC?

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 4, 2024

The Folger Shakespeare Library’s grand reopening of its historic building—after a 4-year renovation—is scheduled for June 21, 2024. The renovation was designed to open up the Library and make it a welcoming space for visitors.  To that end, the designers use landscaping to bring people down the garden path and into the Shakespeare world of story-telling.  The renovation has resulted 12,000 square feet of public space much of which will be used to show people what the Library has: rare books and manuscripts covering the beginning of the age of print all the way through the creation of the Atlantic world.  There will also be a café, new galleries and garden spaces, a learning lab, and an expanded gift shop.

“Serene Willow Reflections” 2023 by Marilyn Saks-McMillion

“Reflections” is the theme the Capitol Hill Art League latest show featuring the work of league members.  The art is on display through March 1st in an exhibition at the Frame of Mine Gallery located at 545 8th Street, S.E. on Barracks Row.  The artists are offering unique views in painting, photography and mixed media art.  The following artists are featured in the show: Lindsay Ahart, Ken Bachman, Lisa Bernstein, Kimberly DeJesus Alfonso, Matthew Gonzales, Tara Hamilton, Steve Kunin, Steve Mabley, Charles Martin, Jenny Nordstrom, Marilyn Saks-McMillion, Ting Wang, and Karen Zens.

The Art League invites you to visit the gallery when shopping at Frame of Mine as well as viewing it online at the Capitol Hill Art League website at: https://www.caphillartleague.org/reflections2024/ The Capitol Hill Art League is a visual arts program of The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). For more information about the Art League, visit the website at www.caphillartleague.org

Mezeh Mediterranean Grill hoped to open last September in the space formerly occupied by Roland’s convenience store at 333 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  That didn’t happen, but there’s hope. 

The buildout is underway and here’s a look behind the papered over windows.  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.

Chef Spike Mendelsohn is being sued for not paying rent on the former location of Santa Rosa Tacqueria at 315 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  According to Daniel J. Sernovitz of the Washington Business Journal, Mendelsohn’s former landlord, Zusin Development, says there is a total $308,458 in unpaid rent. 

The For Lease sign in the window of Santa Rosa Taqueria signaled its move to 301 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, the space formerly occupied by Pret A Manger. Mendelsohn has other two restaurants in the same block – We, The Pizza and Good Stuff Eatery.

Here are a couple of paintings by Washington, DC artist Alma Thomas, currently on exhibit at the Smithsonian American art Museum.  Thomas, 1891 – 1978, used acrylic on canvas to create “Untitled” (Music Series) in 1978.

This work, “The Eclipse,” by Thomas was inspired by the total eclipse which occurred on March 7, 1970, visible across the US, including Washington, DC. 

The Week Ahead…

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 4, 2024

Monday, February 5

The interim Southeast Library interim facility at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center, 1000 5th Street, SE will open for the first time at 10:00am today. 

ANC6A Transportation & Public Space Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00 pm

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

Among items on the agenda:

• Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project Update. The Florida Avenue NE Streetscape Project (https://floridaavene-streetscape.ddot.dc.gov/ outreach team) will provide project updates and address community safety concerns with related contractor work.
• H Street NE Bus Priority Project. Mr. Zack Gambetti-Mendez will present the design of the H Street NE Bus Priority Project. (https://ddotwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NI/pages/2350907486/NOI-24-07-TDD) and address comments and questions from the community.
• West Virginia Avenue NE Traffic Safety. ANC6A TPS Committee Chair Shaun Lynch will lead a discussion regarding persistent traffic safety issues on the 800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE.
• Prospective Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT with recommendations for traffic safety improvements on the 800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE, including preferred direction for a potential one-way conversion.
• TSIs for Future Consideration. Commissioner Gove requested a discussion of languishing all-way stop requests at the following intersections: 14th NE and A Streets NE, 15th NE and A Streets NE, 15th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE, 14th Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE, E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE.
• Prospective Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting prioritization of longstanding TSIs at the intersections of 14th NE and A Streets NE, 15th NE and A Streets NE, 15th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE, 14th Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE and E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE at the next quarterly prioritization assessment.

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

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

Agenda:  TBA

ANC6D Administrative virtual Meeting at 7:00pm

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

Tuesday, February 6

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Review Settlement Agreement for No Kids Allowed; 637B Pennsylvania Ave SE; new medical cannabis retailer. 
• Review Settlement Agreement for DC Dash; 727 8th Street SE; new medical cannabis retailer. 
• Review Settlement Agreement for UpnSmoke: 427 8th street, SE; new medical cannabis retailer license.

Wednesday, February 7

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• DMV Director Robinson Presentation on Department Priorities.
• Request to Endorse Report on Sidewalk Safety.
• Request for ANC Support: Capitol Hill Classic 2024.
• Testimony for Council Oversight Hearing on DDOT.
• Letter Regarding TSI at 14th & C Street SE.
• Committee Discussion on Suggestion to Close 7th Street SE during SE Library Reconstruction.

ANC6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm. 

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

Agenda:  TBA

Thursday, February 8

ANC6A 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:

Community Presentations

• Social Housing.
• John Qua and Fatoumata Keita, DC for Democracy and Metro DC DSA.
• Will Merrifield, Center for Social Housing.

New Business:

• Recommendation: ANC6A approve a grant in the amount of $1,000.00 to Maury Elementary School PTO for the establishment of an outdoor garden.
• Suggested Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT with recommendations for traffic safety improvements on the 800 block of West Virginia Avenue NE, including preferred direction for a potential one-way conversion.
• Suggested Motion: That ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting prioritization of longstanding TSIs at the intersections of 14th NE and A Streets NE, 15th NE and A Streets NE, 15th Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE, 14th Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE and E Street NE and Tennessee Avenue NE at the next quarterly prioritization assessment.
• Suggested Motion: ANC6A approve Ziad Demian (6A04) as a member of the Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ) Committee.

ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a hybrid virtual meeting at 7:00pm. Physical location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s)

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

Among items on the draft agenda: 

• 1362 K Street, SE Project: Zoning Adjustment application.  To construct a two-story addition to an existing accessory building, of an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• 633 E Street, SE Rear Project: Historic Preservation application. To construct a two-story addition to an existing accessory building, of an existing, semi-detached, two-story, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
• Discussion Regarding Construction at Ebeneezer Flats (400 Block of D Street SE.
• Discussion Regarding Construction Issues and Sale Process Tied to DC Developer.
• Update from Subcommittee

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

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

Agenda:  TBA

Capitol Hill Corner would like you to know about:

February 9

Barracks Row Main Street’s – National Pizza Day – Feb 9th  https://www.barracksrow.org/

On Friday, February 9th, we will invite guests to come take a stroll down historic 8th Street Barracks Row and taste delicious pizza from some of the best restaurants in the city. Guests will be able to enjoy pizza/food specials from Barracks Row Main streets at each participating establishment

February 9

Barracks Row Main Street’s – Mardi Gras Weekend on Barracks Row 8th Street – Feb 9th to 13^th. https://www.barracksrow.org/

Starting on Friday, February 9th, we will invite guests to take a stroll down historic 8th Street Barracks Row and celebrate New Orleans-style Mardi Gras. Guests will be able to enjoy Mardi Gras Sidewalk Parades with beads on Friday, Feb 9th, and Saturday, Feb 10th.

February 9

Introduction: Rothko Paintings

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.  East Building Auditorium

https://www.nga.gov/calendar/lectures/exhibitions/rothko-paintings.html/2024/02/09/1300

This talk introduces the range of Mark Rothko’s paintings, from early figurative subjects and surrealist works to his soft-edged rectangular fields. We will consider Rothko’s interest in color theory, music, and spirituality and the historical context for his work. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Mark Rothko: Paintings on Paper, this talk focuses on works in the exhibition as well as those on view in the East Building Tower. Led by staff from the Department of Interpretation.  No registration required. Seating is on a first-come basis.

DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan at Tuesday night’s community meeting on the future of Rosedale Library.

Update on Rosedale Library’s Future

By Larry Janezich

Posted January 31, 2024

Tuesday night, DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan gave the first public presentation on the plan for a new Rosedale Library.  The project is in its preliminary stages; the aspirational timeline was presented to the community at a meeting hosted by ANC7D06 Commissioner Marc Friend and the Rosedale Library Friends.

The ideal timeline anticipates funding becoming available in 2025 and 2026, the design phase occurring in 2028, construction in 2029 and 2030, and opening in 2031.  Currently, $24 million has been budgeted but Reyes-Gavilan warns that inflation and other costs will require another five to ten million dollars.  He expressed confidence that the Mayor and City Council’s will provide additional funding.  Council Chair Phil Mendelson was present at the meeting.    

Jaspreet Pahwa, DCPL Director of Capital Planning and Construction, told community members that a preliminary site survey was underway looking at nearby options – including the current library’s location – which could support the construction of a new library.  Some of the sites being considered would bring library services to additional communities including part of Ward 5.  Other options being considered include a mixed use vs. stand-alone buildings will be considered.  She said that this site selection process will unfold as follows:  Site analysis – development of a short list – community meetings to solicit input – release of a final recommendation – and seeking of acquisition funds.  Pahwa said that currently, the only funding available is for site analysis and additional funds will not be available until 2025 and most of it will come in 2026. 

The site of the new library could be contentious.  At Tuesday night’s meeting, several community members spoke in favor of using the current site for a new library.  Former ANC6A Commissioner Sondra Phillips spoke passionately on her own behalf as well as others in the Rosedale community,  recalling the efforts of Rosedale residents in acquiring a community library, suffering a delay because funds slated for a library were re-directed to rebuild Eastern Market after a devastating fire, and ended by stating flatly, “Rosedale Library should remain in Rosedale.” 

The Week Ahead + Photos & Why Do Kids Carjack? Forum on Tuesday

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 28, 2024

A visit to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.  It’s open to the public Monday – Saturday (closed Sunday) from 8:30am until 4:30pm.  You enter here and pass through magnetometers. 

Here’s the view from the balcony overlooking Emancipation Hall’s lower level.  At top center is the full-size white plaster model for the Statue of Freedom which tops the Capitol Dome.  The Hall also contains 24 of the statues from the National Statuary Hall collection.

The Hall is where you line up for passes for tours of the Capitol. On-line reservations are advised, but some same-day tour tickets are available.  There were few visitors last week.  CHC asked why, and was told, “It’s January.”

Here are views to the right and left as one enters the Exhibition Hall, which lies behind the model of the Statue of Freedom. 

An image from the Café, open from 8:30am until 4:00pm, and featuring soups, salads, specialty entrees, pizza, sandwiches, desserts and beverages.

Here’s a view of one of the Center’s two gift shops for gifts, jewelry, books and items bearing images related to the U.S. Capitol. 

A view of the Capitol Dome through one of the two skylights on the East Front Plaza of the Capitol.

The Week Ahead – Photos & Why Do Kids Carjack? Forum on Tuesday

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 28, 2024

Monday, January 29

ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will hold an in person meeting at 7:00pm at 700  Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).

  Agenda:  TBA

Tuesday, January 30

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

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

  Agenda:  To set the agenda for the full meeting of the ANC on February 13

Juvenile Carjacking Panel Discussion: Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen will moderate a panel discussion on the motivations that lead youth to carjack and the options DC’s justice system has to hold them accountable for their actions. The event will take place at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE) on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. The discussion will be based on two articles on carjacking published in the Hill Rag and East of the River Newspapers, see here:  https://www.hillrag.com/2024/01/27/why-do-kids-carjack-2/

Tickets to attend are sold out, but it will be live-streamed from Hill Center on Facebook @  https://www.facebook.com/hillcenter

Thursday, February 1

ANC6C Transportation 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 like you to know about:

Sunday, January 28

The Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra offers a debut St. Mark’s performance on Sunday, January 28th at 7:30 pm. The program will include works by Bartok, Beethoven arranged by Mahler, Florence Price, and Arnold Schönberg’s lush, late romantic work Verklärte Nacht. Tickets: $30-35.  https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/scms-masterworks-1P0823

Saturday, February 3

In-Person Event: Saturday Morning at 11:30am.  Storytime: Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote.  Saturday Morning Storytimes return as Dinah Johnson reads her picture book Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote, a picture book biography about the early life of Ida B. Wells, her incredible work as a suffragist, and her critical role in the Women’s March of 1913. For children 6 and under. In-person at East City Bookshop.

Sunday, February 4

Hill Center Concert:  Cherry Blossom Special – In Concert – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Free – $15.  For more info, go here:  https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/cherry-blossom-special-in-concert/

Yearning to Showcase Your Home on Capitol Hill?

Maybe you’ve finished a renovation, found just the right furniture, collected art from abroad?  The Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s 2024 House & Garden Tour is calling.

Each year since 1958, CHRS has organized a tour of homes, gardens and other structures on Capitol Hill. The event, held every Mother’s Day weekend, showcases approximately ten buildings in the 200-year-old community.  This year, Mother’s Day Weekend is Saturday, May 11 – Sunday, May 12.

The CHRS House Tour Committee at CapHillHouseTour@gmail.com  is soliciting expressions of interest in becoming part of the tour. 

For more information including the brochures for all previous House Tours dating back to 1958, go here:  https://chrs.org/house-and-garden-tour/

The Capitol Hill Library Book Sale Lives!

The Friends of the Southeast Library and the Friends of the Northeast Library are joining together to restart a book sale now that the SE Library is closed for renovations for two years.

The book sale will be held at the NE Library, 330 7th Street, NE, (southwest corner of 7th and Maryland Avenues NE).

In order to have a book sale, we need BOOKS! We need books in good condition that would be of interest to your friends and neighbors.  Novels, history, popular science, biographies, mysteries, science fiction, other non-fiction, kids, hardcovers, paperbacks are all welcome.  We don’t want books in poor condition, reference books, outdated computer manuals, textbooks, or magazines.  We accept CDs and DVDs, but not older technologies like tapes.

How to donate books?  The donation bin in on the lower level of the NE Library.  That means that you can only donate books when the library is open. There is currently no outdoor collection method.

You can check the library’s schedule on its website at https://www.dclibrary.org/plan-visit/northeast-library   

Current hours are:

• Sunday: 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
• Monday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
• Tuesday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
• Wednesday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
• Thursday: 12:00 pm-8:00 pm
• Friday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am-6:00 pm

We also could always use additional volunteers, either to help sort donations or to help when we organize and run the sale.  If interested, please contact Bob or Vince (at below).

Finally, we hope to have the first sale on the second Saturday in March (March 9). We will hold the sale if we have enough donations. There will be a further announcement.

Questions?

Bob Gellman, bob@bobgellman.com Vince Morris, vsmorris@gmail.com (FoSEL SE/NE Library, respectively)

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 23, 2024

It can’t get more official than this. Bodegon, at 515 8th Street, SE, formerly the home of Medium Rare. 

The restaurant was one of the 50 in DC that closed in 2023. Bodegon opened in the summer of 2021, as did Crazy Aunt Helen’s – another Barracks Row restaurant that closed last year. 

Bodegon’s parent restaurant – Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge in at 3116 M Street, NW, continues providing Spanish tapas in Georgetown. 

Today, Joey’s Family Style Restaurant a block farther down Barracks Row has it’s grand opening. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens.

Rasmus Auctions is selling the contents of Bodegon – if you’re looking for a matador costume, Rasmus can help.  Go here:  https://bit.ly/3S71iJH

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 21, 2024

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 21, 2024

All signs* point to a new cannabis shop coming to 511 11th Street, SE, in the space next to Newman Frames and residents of 11th Street a few doors away are unhappy.  The space was formerly occupied by Studio One Dance, which has relocated to the space on 7^th Street, formerly occupied by Biker Barre.  Currently, the city is cracking down on the illegal weed gift shops and will begin issuing fines at the end of the month, but the city is licensing new medical marijuana outlets. This hasn’t come before ANC6B yet but any application for a medical marijuana license wouls have to be referred to them.  After their consideration and recommendation, an application would go back to the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration for a hearing.

*Here’s a sign in the workspace inside 511 11^th that the cannabis shop is coming.

The Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery never fails to dazzle.  Robert Kogod, real estate developer and philanthropist and his brother-in-law Robert H. Smith, led the Charles E. Smith Companies that developed much of Crystal City.  A gift from Robert and Arlene Kogod to the Smithsonian Institution funded the glass canopy of the 28,000 square foot courtyard connecting the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. 

Here’s a preview of an upcoming exhibit being installed in the Kogod Courtyard.

The exhibit is entitled “The Future of Orchids, Conservation and Collaboration,” and is scheduled to open January 27th. 

In the American Art Museum, an oil painting in the American Experience exhibit reminds of the cruelty of winter.  “Coyotes Come Out of the Desert,” Matsusaburo George Hibi, 1945.

Another oil on canvas provides a more benign portrait of the season.  “Skating in Central Park,” Agnes Tait, 1934. 

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 21, 2024

The Week Ahead….

Monday, January 22

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

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

Among items on the draft agenda:

• Grant Application: Maury PTA Garden funding – Mr. Eric Hanson.
• Transfer COC leadership from Adina Wadsworth to Paul Spires.

Tuesday, January 23

Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee is scheduled to 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:

• Discussion of application of Tiki Garden at 802 13th Street NE for a Class C Restaurant license, with a summer garden, take-out and delivery endorsement.
• Discussion regarding draft new standard settlement agreement.

Saturday, January 27

St. Mark’s is once again producing two “Sandbox Concerts,” short performances designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Sailor songs, dances, and tangos will be performed on voice, piano, accordion, and cello. More info here: https://singoncapitolhill.com/  Saturday, January 27th at 10:00 and 11:30 am. Sign-up required. limited slots available. Free.

Sunday, January 28

The Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra offers a debut St. Mark’s performance on Sunday, January 28th at 7:30 pm. The program will include works by Bartok, Beethoven arranged by Mahler, Florence Price, and Arnold Schönberg’s lush, late romantic work Verklärte Nacht. Tickets: $30-35.  See here:  https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/scms-masterworks-1P0823

by Larry Janezich

Posted January 21, 2023

Joey’s of Barracks Row Grand Opening Tuesday

Joey’s of Barracks Row will hold its grand opening on Tuesday, January 23.  The new family-style restaurant held an on-going soft opening last Wednesday night but then, owner John Boyle said it would take until the following week to train the staff and get the kitchen up and running to handle a peak-time crowd.  Joey’s is located at 527 Barracks Row, in the space formerly occupied by CAVA. 

The moderately priced menu is strictly American cooking, including salads, soups, chili, wings, burgers, sandwiches, beef brisket, ribs, chicken breast, salmon filet, spaghetti & meatballs, grilled vegetarian shishkabob.  There’s a menu for kids with kid sized portions of hamburgers, hot dogs, and spaghetti and meatballs.  Daily seasonal specials could include rib eye, roast chicken, London broil, meatloaf, and fish and chips.

Boyle says he will start with dinner and maybe do lunch later and says he “wants the place to be known to be consistent, fast, and good.” 

Hours:

• Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  noon until midnight, kitchen closes at 11pm.
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 4pm until midnight, kitchen closes at 11pm.
• Closed Monday

For more, and to check out the menu, go here:  https://barracksrowjoeys.com/