Falafel Rules

Lamont Park and The Lonely Tree

Last week's post about Columbia Heights plaza and Lamont Park made me think about the lonely tree. You know the one. It's the one tree standing alone at the northern vertex of the triangle shape that is the park. Lamont Park is split in two by a traffic lane for buses and other vehicles. The tree shares the smaller sliver of land with a bus shelter for the H8 Metrobus.

If DC were to ever change Lamont Park (with our suggestions from Friday of course), you'd hope they would include the lonely tree as well as land it's on. Maybe add some grass or another tree or two.

Columbia Heights Plaza Just Works

Color me jealous. I love the Columbia Heights plaza. The city has created a space that just works for the neighborhood. It has become a bona fide gathering spot in short order; even in the face of consistent construction around it.

It's really simple actually: a water feature, some grass, landscaping, places to sit and some retail. Doesn't hurt that there are eateries nearby that serve hand held, cheap food (Sticky Fingers Bakery, Julia's Empanadas, FrozenYo).

Remember when it was just a field of gravel and some trees? Not very attractive. The solar lamplights act as a sort of public art and the semi-grassy artificial hills are always filled during late afternoons and evenings.

What if Lamont Park could be that place for Mount Pleasant? We really don't have a central place like Columbia Heights plaza here in Mount Pleasant. Occasionally Lamont Park can be; during music festivals or the farmers market. But, by in large, it takes a special event for the place to fill up on any given day. That's too bad. What would it take for Lamont Park to be attractive to you on a daily basis? You can choose more than one.

poll by twiigs.com

Apartment Houses: The Argonne

Nearly 90 years old, the Argonne was named Park Plaza for a stretch before reverting back to the original name about 3 years ago. A the gateway to Adams Morgan at 1629 Columbia Road NW. Rather large building which I believe still has a rooftop pool and workout room.

This Book Store Will Become a Huge Restaurant

35,000 square feet. Sounds like a lot. Can't really wrap my mind around it. Ever been to the Clyde's restaurant in Chinatown? That place is 23,000 square feet. And seats over 500.

The company that owns Clyde's is opening a new restaurant and entertainment space downtown which will weigh in at 35,000 square feet. Borders Bookstore lives in that space now; at corner of 14th and F Streets NW. The restaurant will consume two floors, with one being below grade.

This new restaurant (possibly named Hamilton Square) will front 14th as one of the first eating establishments visitors see when arriving by car from Virginia via I 395. And on the other side, F St, just one block from the Treasury Building and two from the White House.

I like the live music piece of the puzzle. But... what type of music... I have no idea. Clyde's isn't necessarily my scene, so I'm guessing the music won't be up my alley. But I'm definitely open-minded.

I'm never really on the street in this part of town. The 42 bus runs on H, just two blocks up from this intersection. So when the time comes (late 2011, or 2012), we can all take the bus there for a drink and some music of unknown type. Borders Bookstore fans act fast. Looks like this location will close before summer is over.

Down Newton Street

Friday Fun Post: Staying Posi

Last week's Fun Post was a little cynical (but hella funny), so thought I'd post a posi clip this week. This guy is a motivational speaker and has stuff for sale, but I'm definitely not endorsing that part of the video. I just think his message is simple. Appreciate where you are, who you are, and don't think you can't do more and be more. You're worth it. Trust me. Or rather, trust yourself.

Pho DC in Chinatown

More pho! Last significant opening was Columbia Heights' Pho 14.

Now the just as creatively named Pho DC will be opening soon in Gallery Place-Chinatown. this place is about one half block from the Chinatown 7th and H Metro entrance. It sits directly above New Big Wong and just west of the never-opened Rita's Water Ice. The building (608-610 H Street NW) has gotten a slight face lift over the last 18 months and the interior shell has gotten a complete makeover.

With any luck, they'll take as much care as Pho 14 does in creating, offering and marking the vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes on the menu.

Photos: Mount Pleasant Residential Architecture

18th Street NW

Bike Prom 2010

I was on vacation last year and missed the party! But this year, Bike Prom is firmly on my calendar as #1 event for the weekend, so I'll be there. WABA is again hosting and the location is the Black Cat. The theme is Beyond the Velodrome, a take on Beyond the Thunderdome, an 80s Mel Gibson flick.

Here's the description from WABA: A couple years in the future...the streets of DC are ruled by velo gangs who have turned the asphalt into a battleground as they loot lycra and cripple cranksets. Join DC cyclists for WABA's post-apocalyptic Bike Prom...

You're encouraged to dress up post apocalyptic style and apparently there will be prizes for the best dressed as well as other raffle type activities. I wouldn't worry with this crowd. Creativity + prizes + dancing + alcohol = YES! Like last year, there will also be a photo booth (accompanying is from last year's booth).

Of course you can ride your bike to and from. WABA is arranging for bike racks to be placed outside of the Cat. I'd advocate for wearing a helmet and drinking responsibly if you decide to partake. Otherwise DANCE IT UP!

Bike Prom is on June 26th. Black Cat is located at 1811 14th St NW. It's upstairs on the main stage and tickets are $10.

Friday Fun Post: Corporate Idiocy

This isn't really about a fun topic, but humor helps deal with the frustration, helplessness and anger at predicaments like what's going on near the Gulf Coast. There is one minor slip of the tongue near the end, so maybe watch when your boss isn't listening. Otherwise, very funny.

Photo: Full House

40,000+ all here to see the new guy. Last night was a fun night to be a Nationals fan. You can read the game report here, but being there was worth the price of admission, something I couldn't say just a few months ago on opening day. If you missed it, keep an eye out for June 18 or 19 vs the White Sox. You may get a second chance that soon.

"Make No Little Plans" Film Showing on the Mall Tomorrow

Cool film screening on the National Mall tomorrow tonight, June 9. The PBS documentary by Archimedia Workshop, Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham & the American City is making its DC debut out in the open air. The planner Burnham is mostly known for submitting an ambitious plan directing the growth of Chicago; and locally for designing the beaux-arts styled Union Station.

Tomorrow's showing is an event of sorts with guests and speakers from all over the place including the White House, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Capital Planning Commission, and even the Philippine Ambassador to the United States.

The film will begin at 9:00pm after an introduction and speakers at 8:30. This is near where Screen on the Green operates, 4th Street NW at Madison.

Apartment Houses: Kalorama Park

Kalorama Park is a newer apartment house, having opened in 2004. It's located at 1840 Columbia Road NW in Adams Morgan. The top four floors have apartments, with three on each floor. Being only one of 12 units, each apartment is fairy large; and most likely expensive. They're 1,200-1,300 square feet each and all units are two bed-two bath. I'm guessing rents would be between $3,000 and $3,500 per month.

The first floor was originally slated for a white table cloth restaurant with outdoor seating, but high end furniture retailer Design Within Reach ended up occupying that space. There is second floor retail space, occupied by Counter Culture Coffee training facility (cuppings, etc). Annnnnnnyyyyy chance you've lived here? If you live there now, take me on the sweet roofdeck please!

Video: Dance Back the Night Benefit in Adams Morgan

Very cool fundraiser last night in Adams Morgan. A benefit was held for the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project. Teams of dancers showed off their skillzzz in a dance-off right on the BB&T plaza at 18th and Columbia NW. It wasn't really a dance-off. The competition was just for fun. There were some sweet dance moves though. And sweet outfits.

The video below is actually of random audience members dancing a routine they just learned, like 1 minute prior. I was impressed! I forgot the first step by the time the instructor was teaching the last step, so good thing I was behind the camera for this one.

Anyway, A/PI DVRP is such a worthy cause and is in a financial pinch like may other area non profits. They just happen to do life saving work. So please consider visiting the website, learn a bit about the work they do, and consider contributing, even if not in dollars. Have a great weekend everyone.

Dance Back the Night: A Benefit for A/PI DVRP from The 42 Bus on Vimeo.

St Matthews Cathedral

1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW

BID Takes Direct Aim at City Parking Meters

Adams Morgan Partnership BID is reaching out to visitors in quite a unique way. One of the primary issues in the bustling neighborhood is parking. Days, nights, weekends, holidays, whenever, parking will always be an issue in Adams Morgan.

So, the Partnership figured it should go directly to parkers. Affixed to parking meters all along Columbia Road are stickers advising drivers not to park on the street and instead park in a private garage on Champlain Street, one block off the main strip. The private garage can be accessed through a curb cut on 18th Street and is a busy lot on the weekends.

The sticker features a stop sign and red lettering which reads "Don't feed this meter!" at the top. The rest of the text goes on to explain why you should park in the private garage and how to get the cheaper hourly rate. You have to get validated from a business and the promotion is only good until 5:00PM daily.

The Partnership BID has also posted fliers about parking on the community board at 18th and Columbia.

Kind of torn on this one. Obviously the BID has the incentive to do whatever it can to alleviate the parking issue and make it easier for potential customers to reach merchants. But to place the stickers directly on the city meters might go too far. The sticker names the owner of the garage twice. So, in this way it is sort of an advertisement. However, in the corner it is made clear that the sticker was "Bought to you by" and shows the Adams Morgan Partnership logo.

Fair or foul?

Paying More to Ride The 42

Ouch. I was ready to pay more to ride Metro rain and bus. I knew that in this economy, with governments less willing to dedicate more to transit (and other projects), and transit less willing to expand services, well, we could be in for a rough ride here in DC.

Metro's board of directors recently voted to increase the cost of most basic services such as parking, Metro access, rail fare, and yes, bus fare. Everyone will pay more on June 27th than they did the previous week for essentially the same trips. (The peak of the peak fares won't take effect until August 2, however.)

A few examples:

Let's say you live in Mount Pleasant and take the Metro from Columbia Heights to work near L'Enfant Plaza. Today, you'd pay $1.80 for that trip starting at say, 8:00am. On teh way home at 5:00pm, you'll pay the same, $1.80.

On August 2nd at 8:00am you'll pay $2.20, an increase of over 20%. And at 5:00pm, the same $2.20 for the return trip. Do that five times a week, four weeks a month and you'll be paying $88.00 per month to commute to work. Today those same trips would cost you $72.00. Nothing to sneeze at. Much of the increase is due to a new surcharge called "peak of the peak." It's an extra charge on top of the rush hour fare that targets commuters who ride during the busiest periods. The Washington Post has a great tool to examine how much your rail commute will increase under the new fares.

If you ride the bus to work, your fares will rise, too. There are no special rush hour or peak of the peak charges, but a bus trip will cost you $1.50 with a Smartrip card, opposed to $1.35 now. If you use cash under the new fares you'll pay $1.70. If you take the express buses to Dulles (5A) or BWI (B30) airports, you'll now pay $6.00, up from $3.10. There are many other changes. Here's a PDF of the new fare structure from Metro, including increases for Metro Access and bike locker rental.

I do support the increase. It will hurt in the pocketbook or me personally, but I support it. And I do believe Metro can provide the same level of service, I think that they'll have to work really hard to do that. And we won't be seeing an increase in service or product any time soon. Yes, the rail to Dulles is being completed as we speak (first phase anyway). But, that segment is still years from opening and to be honest, I really want Metro to get it right (i.e. SAFE and best value for the fare) with the system we have now and continuing with that ethos while expanding. Progress, yes, but smart, measured progress.