The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted Sunday, November 23, 2025
Hundreds of community members showed up for the lighting of the Capitol Hill Tree on Saturday night.
Members of the Capitol Hill Chorale performed, leading up to…
The annual lighting ceremony features the evergreen tree “Sonny” in the SW Quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza, honoring the late George Didden III for his many contributions to the Capitol Hill community. Members of the Didden family were on hand to flip the switch.
ANC6B is holding a Special Call Meeting on Monday night to discuss the ANC’s protest of the application from Aloha for a license to sell medical cannabis at 539 8th Street, on Barracks Row. Recent changes in ABCA regulations could spell trouble for Aloha. See details below in The Week Ahead….
Here’s the first glimpse of the interior of the Taco Bell coming to Barracks Row at 411 8th Street, SE. A source tell CHC the plan is to open in December or early January.
Blackbird Salon at 8th and Virginia Avenue, SE (which occupies the ground floor corner space at far right in the photo) was probably happy to see the city’s treatment of the scruffy empty lot in front of their store. When the city cleaned up the pile of cut stones salvaged from the demolition of the CSX tunnel and stored underneath the freeway next to Garfield Park, they moved them to this corner. Over the past month, they became the basis for a landscaping project.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, November 24
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:
- Announcements and Reminders: People’s Front of H Street, Sunday Clean ups in 6A01
- Keep K Street Clean
- H Street Online
ANC6B SPECIAL CALL VIRTUAL MEETING: ABC Committee Aloha Protest – 9:00pm
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Agenda:
- ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer – 539 8th Street SE. Second application for medical cannabis retailer license, including Delivery Endorsement. ANC6B has retained legal counsel (Kerry Verdi) to assist with protest.
- For additional information, please contact Ellen Opper-Weiner, Resident Member Chair of ANC 6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee at eowlaw@aol.com and Commissioner Samuel Pastore Vice Chair of the ABC Committee at 6B05@anc.dc.gov
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About:
Now through Sunday, December 7
4th Annual Better Together Small Business Gift Card Exchange
For more see here: https://bit.ly/3JO8c6F
Friday Nov 28, 2025 – Sunday, Jan 4, 2026
The Folger Frost Fair
Celebrate the season with a month-long winter festival at the Folger. Enjoy festive decorations, holiday music, free activities, and more.
For details, see here: https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/programs/folger-frost-fair/
Native American Heritage Day Featuring Hoop Dancer Joseph Secody
Friday, November 28
National Museum of the American Indian: 11:30am – 4:00pm
Learn about the art and power of the Hoop Dance with performances by award-winning dancer Joseph Secody (Navajo). Performances begin at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM.
At 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM join curator Anya Montiel (Mestiza/Tohono O’odham descent) for a closer look at the museum’s special installation Making a Statement, featuring custom Gucci gowns worn by actress Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) at the 96th Academy Awards.
For more, go here: https://bit.ly/3K66bCQ
Friday, November 28
Eastern Market & Hill is Home Holiday Time Machine (21+ only)
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Eastern Market’s Holiday Time Machine promises to be a homegrown, historic antidote to the impersonal shopping experience of Black Friday: a festive gathering of local makers and artists, plus the introduction of delicious, social-media ready hot chocolate drink by Melt by Hippie Sippin.’ Republic Restoratives, a small batch, women-owned distillery will be at the event, offering samples of their award-winning spirits.
The event – co-hosted by local blog The Hill is Home – is a preview of the entire holiday experience. For only $30 at the door or $25 for early-birds who buy online, you can attend a holiday party you actually want to go to… Go here for more https://www.thehollydays.com/ and here for tickets https://bit.ly/4rfcftn
Saturday, September 29
Small Business Saturday on Capitol Hill – For more see here: https://bit.ly/3JO8c6F
Also, at 10:00am on Saturday:
Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots. Staff members bake cookies (subsidized by management). Customers eat the cookies, vote for their favorites with donations and the cookie that earns the most wins. All of the donations go to Toys for Tots.
Sunday, November 30
11:00am – 1:00pm
Eastern Market.
The Betty the Yeti Welcome and Parade (all ages!)
Santa Claus – who will appear Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at the Market, and iconic cryptid Betty the Yeti – who will appear Sundays from 11am to 1pm.
Monday, December 1
Leaf Collection in underway. Here’s a link to DPW’s real-time leaf collection tracker. https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf (The search for your home address doesn’t appear to be working, but you can track which neighborhoods and undergoing leaf collections. Monday, December 1, leaf pick up will start in Section C.)
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 