The Week Ahead…& Some Day of the Dead Photos from the Past Week
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 2, 2025
The National Community Church (NCC) will launch $5M renovation of historic Navy Yard Car Barn – according to a story by Daniel Sernovits in the Washington Business Journal. NCC Pastor Mark Batterson plans on turning the “Capitol Turnaround” – formerly and informally named “The Blue Castle” at 8th and M Streets, SE, into an event space with a coffee shop. CHC talked to events staff who said that the 8th Street and M Street sides of the building will be renovated to provide event space. Another venture owned by NCC – “Ebenezers Coffeehouse” – will be located inside the main entrance at the corner of 8th and M Streets. The original Ebenezers, founded in 2006, is at 201 F Street, NE.
Here’s the space inside the main entrace at 8th and M Street, SE, which will be the future home of Ebenezers Coffee House.
Día de los Muertos at Congressional Cemetery. This day is a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed, celebrating the ongoing bond between the living and the dead. Millions in Mexico, Latin America, and beyond celebrate by creating colorful ofrendas (altars) to welcome spirits back to the earthly world.
Sunday, November 2, was the cemetery’s second celebration of Día de los Muertos, where the chapel in the center of the cemetery was transformed into a place of learning, remembrance, community gathering, and celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”
The ofrenda alter is traditionally set up in the home to honor decease loved ones and decorated with marigolds, photographs of the deceased, candles, and offerings like sugar skulls, favorite foods, drinks, mementos and religious symbols. Key elements often include references to the four elements: water, aid, earth and fire. The paper banners (papel picado) represent air.
Here’s a detail photo of the main altar.
Visitors decorate traditional sugar skulls and craft paper flowers.
This free community event is made possible by the Congressional Cemetery’s nonprofit, The Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery.
The Week Ahead…
Highlight: Tuesday: First District MPD Community Advisory Committee Meeting. Discussion: The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns. See below.
Highlight: Thursday. Free John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert at Congressional Cemetery. See below under “Capitol Hill Cornor Would Also Like You to Know About:”
Monday, November 3
ANC6C ABC Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting at 7:00pm, but has not posted an agenda.
- For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/
Agenda: TBA (if committee meets)
Tuesday, November 4
First District MPD Community Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 6:00pm.
- For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://1dcac.com/
Among items on the draft agenda:
- Presentation by DC Sentencing Commission on Homicide and Car Jacking Convictions
- The Wharf and Navy Yard Juvenile Safety Concerns
- 3rd – 14th Streets NE Safety concerns
- G-K Streets NE Safety Concerns
- Burglaries, Carjacking/Stolen Autos and Homicide Reports
- Policing 14th Place and 15th Street, NE
- Policing North Capitol Street, NE/NW
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 1 (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:
ABC Renewals
- Hawk N’ Dove – 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Cover Charge, Dancing, Entertainment, and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
- Dos Toros Taqueria – 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Restaurant License with Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
- Kaiju Ramen – 525 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Sidewalk Café and Summer Garden Endorsements.
- Lola’s – 711 8th Street SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
- Hill East Burger – 1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Renewal of Class “C” Tavern License with Entertainment and Sidewalk Café Endorsements.
Protests & Other Updates
- Ambar – 523 8th Street SE. Ongoing negotiation regarding settlement agreement and protest hearing. Parties have requested continuance while discussions proceed.
- ALOHA – Medical Cannabis Retailer (Second Application) – 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. (Roll Call Hearing 11/03/25)
- Continue Discussion for “Vision for Barracks Row”/Roundtable Planning
- Consideration of Letter Regarding Cannabis Licensees
Wednesday, November 5
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
- For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
- DDOT Update on Penn/Potomac Intersection Redesign Project
- Calming Measures at 6th & G SE
- Issues at Capitol South Metro
- Speeding in Barracks Row Alleys
- Automated Curb Management
ANC6C Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
- For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/
Agenda: TBA
Thursday, November 6
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
- For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
- 655 South Carolina Avenue SE; Zoning Adjustment Application.
- 440 New Jersey Avenue SE; Historic Preservation Application.
ANC6C Transportation Committee is scheduled to hold a 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:
Congressional Cemetery Event:
Thursday, November 6, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. Free, but please register here: https://bit.ly/47vGNzr
John Philip Sousa Birthday Concert 2025. Please join Congressional Cemetery and the Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” for a celebration of the life and legacy of John Philip Sousa. The Marine Band plays the music the “March King” composed at his graveside every year on his birthday and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend, for free!
Congressional Cemetery will start the program at 12:30 pm with a short awards ceremony, followed by a brief lecture by a John Philip Sousa impersonator.
The Marine Corps band will enter through the 17th Street gate at precisely 1:00 PM for a 25 minute concert at the grave site, located near the chapel.
Folger Library Event.
Friday, Nov 7–9. Virtuosos of Violin and Verse. Tickets start at $20.
Folger Consort, in a special collaboration with the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series, will open its 2025-2026 season of “exquisitely played programs”
Go here for tickets: https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/virtuosos-of-violin-and-verse/
Hill Center Event.
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. $20.00
Stone Room Concerts @ Hill Center Featuring 7-Time National Fiddle Champion & GRAMMY Winner Luke Bulla. In-person.
Register here: https://bit.ly/4nAp4vh
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 