Will You Buy Produce at Target?

This fall Target at DCUSA will join Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter as a large national grocer within walking distance of Mount Pleasant.  Of course we also have Bestway/world right here in the neighborhood and Yes! Organic Market in Adams Morgan. Target is betting that it can compete in the grocery sector despite a Giant store literally across the street on Park Road NW and countless smaller markets in and around Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant.  

But will you shop there specifically for groceries?  I split my major grocery buying trips between Whole Foods, Giant, on rare occasion Safeway, and Mount P Farmers Market.  Giant is so close, WF has the specialty and vegan items I want and why buy produce anywhere but the farmers market.  Will Target be a part of the grocery mix?  I doubt it, for me.  I have picked up an orange juice, chips or snacks while on an unrelated trip there, but not sure that I would go there for produce and the whole nine yards.  Curious to see the lay out, though.  I'm guessing they'll build next to the sizable frozen and dry goods sections present now.

And how will the smaller businesses like Bestway/world be affected?  DCUSA is part of the reason (part, not the only reason) for Mount Pleasant Street's continued commercial stagnation.  We have capacity for more businesses and we obviously want to spend money at places like Bestway, Super Save and all of our great eateries, but new development seems to be happening just east of us, around 14th, not on Mt P Street.  The Target grocery expansion will likely continue this trend.

Signage Up for Pho DC and Rita's in Chinatown

We've previously noted arrivals of Rita's Water Ice and Pho DC.  Perhaps the new signs indicate openings sooner than later. 608 H St NW and 610 H St NW.  Here's to both serving delicious vegan lunch treats.

Photos: Lamont Park and More

Cool shots I took last week.  I love panoramas!

New York Ave Sculptures: Up Close

Pictured are the sculptures on New York Ave NW between 13th and 12th Streets.  I have to say I wasn't a big fan initially, but after seeing them for a few months on my regular bike route, I've grown to appreciate them.  They definitely add something to a block that is  really divided into two separate spaces with a wide median splitting a fairly busy thoroughfare. 

The sculptures are part of a multi year, four block long project to populate that stretch of New York Avenue (b/t 13th and 9th) with public art.  The city is working with Downtown BID and the National Museum of Women in the Arts; it's at the corner of 13th and New York Ave.  This is phase one.  Once the rest of the blocks are activated with art, the installations will change every few years to keep the landscape fresh.  This will be a living project; sort of like an extension of the Museum itself, although I don't think they'd put it that way.

These four are by artist Niki de Saint Phalle.

Nana on a Dolphin, 1998

Les Trois Grâces (The Three Graces), 1999

Arbre Serpents (Serpent Tree), 1999

#23 Basketball Player, 1999

Mount Pleasant Part of New Bikeshare

BIXI bikestation. Photo by stevey

As expected, Mount Pleasant will receive a bike station under the District's new bike sharing system,  Capital Bikeshare. This bike share will replace the SmartBike DC system which currently houses 100 bikes at 10 stations.  The new stations will accommodate over 1,000 bikes all over the city and some in Arlington as well, via regional partnership.

Capital Bikeshare is based on the BIXI system (BIcycle + taXI = BIXI).  BIXI was first active in Montreal, then Vancouver, Boston, Minneapolis, even Europe and Australia.  Now it's on the way to DC.  The new bikes are awesome looking, although I liked the SmartBike DC bikes, too.  DDOT plans to have the bikes and stations operational by the end of fall this year.  I am highly skeptical, but hey, surprise me DDOT.  The Mount Pleasant station will be near Lamont Park or the corner of 17th and Mount Pleasant Streets NW.  Don't quite have the exact location, but perhaps in the park itself?  Or near the H8 bus shelter?  

There are three other stations within walking distance of Lamont Park; 14th and Irving, 16th and Columbia, Adams Mill and Lanier Place.  And below is the DDOT map with all of the station locations, including Arlington VA.  Exciting stuff!  For all of its troubles, DDOT is really adopting a forward thinking philosophy regarding transit by instituting these types programs (Circulator, Streetcar, Bikeshare, etc).  To that I say huzzah!

View Capital Bikeshare in a larger map

Friday Fun Post: Of Rainbows and Magnets

So, you know double rainbows guy.  You know him.  Double rainbows guy is youtube famous because of his double rainbows video.

Aaaaannnnnyway. Is it just me or did you immediately think of these guys and the miracles video?  Yeah. Check the similarities. Just saying. Have a good weekend. This miracles video is NSFW, but watching it again is probably worth getting fired. j/k, j/k.  Sort of.

Apartment Houses: The Pasadena

The Pasadena. 2633 Adams Mill Rd NW. 100 years ago, a 4 room apartment here rented for $25. By 1919, post-WWI rent for the same unit had risen to an unthinkable $40.50 per month.

New Metro Signs Point the Way to Mount Pleasant

A few months ago I posited a suggestion regarding changing the name of Columbia Heights Station to include Mount Pleasant. According to the results of that poll, you were pretty evenly split! However, it seemed unlikely that the name of that station would be changed anytime soon.

But (h/t to DCist!), as we have discovered, that doesn't mean Metro can't point the way to Mount Pleasant using signage inside the station. Here you see overheard signage on the mezzanine level of the Columbia Heights Metro station. All riders exiting the station walk underneath these signs. One points eastward towards Pleasant Plains: I'm curious to see what those folks think about the addition. And the other sign points westward to our very own Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Nice addition by Metro. I would rather have this as an outcome than changing the name of the station outright. Can't speak for Pleasant Plains, but I think the Mt Pleasant signage is pretty straight forward. Exit the station via the west escalators and continue down Irving Street. 2 and 1/2 blocks later, there you go: Mount Pleasant Street NW. Seemingly no negative consequences for Mount P or Columbia Heights as a result of this move. Now if they could keep those escalators and air conditioning running on a semi consistent basis: I'd cheer for that.

"Movies in the Park" Returns to Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant Main Street is graciously bringing back Movies in the Park this summer. Held in Lamont Park, of course. Who needs Screen on the Green; we have our very own, minus the green. The theme this year is "Road Trip," and you'll see why, looking at the selection. The first film is this Saturday!

Movies start at dusk, so there's no exact start time; they'll begin just as the sun is setting. However, come early because MPMS will have organized music, Mt P trivia and other activities on hand before each movie. I always like to say early is on time, so be like me. Actually, I'm a well known procrastinator. So, don't be like me. Anyway, just come early. Here's the schedule.

July 24 :: Little Miss Sunshine (rain date July 25)

A family piles into their VW van and heads West to a beauty pageant-- adventure ensues.

August 7 :: Ride The Divide (rain date August 8)
An account of the world’s toughest mountain bike race: a trek over 2,700 miles along the Continental Divide. This will double as a fundraiser for Neighbors Consejo with a suggested donation of $5-10.

August 28 :: The Brave Little Toaster (rain date August 29)
Five appliances -- a toaster, desk lamp, radio, electric blanket and vacuum cleaner-- set out on the road in search of their owner. Kid-friendly activities before the film.

September 11 :: Salt of the Earth (rain date September 12)
A blacklisted 1954 film about labor rights and immigration based on an actual strike at the Empire Zinc Mine in New Mexico. Co-hosted by the Latino Association of Mount Pleasant.

Crumbs Bake Shop: Cupcakery Trend Continues

Does three a trend make? Including the cupcake truck, there are will be three eateries in downtown DC where one can go specifically to buy and eat cupcakes. Like the froyo trend I lamented before, cupcakes have seemingly ridden out the novelty phase to become an actual separate foodgroup with dedicated stores that sell nothing but cupcakes. Simple ones, decadent ones, vegan ones, expensive ones, fattening ones, cakey ones, fluffy ones. There are other cupcakeries in DC: Hello, Cake Love, Red Velvet, and of course Georgetown Cupcake; who now have a freaking reality show! Serial.

Add Crumbs Bake Shop to the mix. It'll open soon next door to Pret a Manger, which itself is a new arrival to the corner of 11th and F NW. Crumbs first opened as a single shop in NYC, but is a chain at this point, with nearly 30 locations over four states. Cool fact: the Crumbs cupcake of the month is the Tony Hawk SkateCake. that's pretty radical. Sadly it looks like they won't be making any vegan cupcakes or cakes (their other product). Not sure of the opening, but if you have an idea, post in the comments. The address is 604 11th Street NW. Crumbs will also be opening another store in Union Station.

Forever 21

They have a decent men's section. Decent. Opening who knows when this year. 10th and G NW.

Downtown Lunch: Pret a Manger Open

Only had time to get a coffee and chill for a few minutes, but the vibe seems nice. Pret a Manger is a sandwich and coffee lunch spot in downtown DC. This store is located at 11th and F Streets NW, and there is an older store at 18th and I Streets NW. All meals are prepared, packaged and "ready to eat" as the name suggests. I need to go again to fully peruse the offerings re:vegan. At first glance, there seemed to be quite a few veggie options and maybe a few vegan including fresh fruit cups and a falafel sandwich. Looking forward to going back again. Soy latte was nothing to write home about, but really cheap compared to my regular places. Can't have it all I guess.

Throwing Rocks Tonight: Lucky Strike

I visited Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge in Penn Quarter for the first time a few weeks ago. I love bowling, but had stayed away from Lucky Strike for different reasons over the years. It opened in the Gallery Place retail development to semi controversy in late 2005. The extensive dress code really irked some Washingtonians and just didn't seem very bowling alley-like. But eventually that sentiment (and some of the dress code) faded away and to me, it was just known as the expensive bowling place.

Lucky Strike is cool for what it really is; a big bar and lounge with bowling on the side, literally. Like an old school alley, there is lots of beer. Unlike an old school alley, they're all fairly pricey, even for the cheap stuff. And very much like an old school alley, vegan food is virtually non existent on the menu. Not a surprise though.

As it happened, I was being treated to almost everything that day, so I barely spent any money at all. If you're going, try to go under these circumstances. From what I understand, you will have a much better time.

We went during the early afternoon on a weekday, so waiting it out for a lane wasn't necessary. Sweet. In most lame establishments with lame dress codes, you often wonder how the codes of dress and conduct never seems to apply to employees. But, that wasn't the case here. Everyone was pretty good to us all around, even when the lane broke (lots of technological hang ups, I gather). They even had an early World Cup game on the huge TVs above the end of each lane. Multitasking: even at the bowling alley. Bowl, watch. Bowl, watch. Cool.

Outside of another very nice person gifting me a night at this place, I probably wouldn't need to go again. Glad I went this one time though. I saw what I had been missing these last five years. Lucky Strike Lanes is not to be confused with Strike Bethesda in Maryland. Totally different. Lucky Strike is located on the second floor of 701 7th Street NW, at G St.

Wondering if this guy's ever tested the dress code.... (one NSFW word at the very end!)

Friday Fun Post: Best Time Lapse Ever

The most elaborate, amazing, painstakingly produced, time lapse video art I have ever seen. And I went to an art school. So I know. I've seen some bad ones, too. But, this is amazing. Each frame was hand painted or arranged. Think about that. EACH FRAME. Even if you don't have 10 minutes to watch this in its entirety, watch whatever you can.

Rock Creek Park

DC Home to Target, Costo and Walmart?

The District's first major big box discount retailer opened in 2008 just blocks from Mount Pleasant. Target is the anchor of Columbia Height's DCUSA development. Any questions about being profitable in an urban location were answered quickly. It has been busy daily from day one. Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Marshalls and Staples are other big box national chains operating in DCUSA.

Now Walmart is attempting to get into the mix. Only six months after news of Costo's plans to open in DC, Walmart may very well join them in Northeast. The world's largest retailer is banking on several perceived advantages in attempting to penetrate the urban market in cities like DC, Boston and Chicago. 1)They're following Target and Costo. 2)They'll play up the "creating jobs" factor. 3)They'll argue that residents in cities like DC are undeserved, especially regarding full service groceries. The location would be an 11 acre parcel on a triangle shaped piece of land bound by Montana Ave NE, New York Ave NE and Bladensburg Rd. Google map of the site is below.

Will Walmart have to concede the Superstore model and settle for a smaller store in DC? The Target store in Columbia Heights is 180,000 square feet, which is actually larger than the average. However the DC store is two floors. The average Walmart Supercenter store is 185,000 sq feet, but almost always on one floor, and almost always accompanied by a large parking lot. The NE store would be one floor and include parking.

Of course the big questions will be the result of community wants, needs and input. Who wants it, who doesn't and who's indifferent. And will the city be as financially involved as they are with DCUSA?: essentially building and operating the parking facilities for the mall, making road and landscape improvements and brokering deals to get specific desired retailers to join the shopping center. Very interesting development for the city and Walmart. The outcome will certainly set precedent for both entities.

Proposed site:

View Larger Map

Apartment Houses: Harvard Towers

1845 Harvard Street NW. This building is managed by the District's Housing Authority. It was constructed in 1961, but a $6.9 million renovation was completed in April of this year. There was a 5th floor fire at the building in 2007. Although the building is home to mostly older and disabled DC residents, only two people were hospitalized due to DCFD's quick response. There are 193 units, made up of efficiencies and 1-bedrooms. Beautiful views of the Park, I'm sure!

DC Noodles

DC Noodles is not on the 42 bus line, but I have to give them a shout out. I love when a restaurant makes it clear on the menu, or signage what's vegan, what can be made vegan and what isn't vegan. And especially those who back that up with knowledgeable employees.

DC Noodles has always offered vegan-friendly, good food, but on a recent visit I noticed that they had clearly labeled the menu with vegetarian items, even going as far to show which items were made with fish or oyster sauce and broth; often a hidden ingredient. Some dishes are just vegetarian, but not vegan so definitely ask the server your detailed questions. They are happy to accommodate and check with the cooks, etc.

DC Noodles is located at 1410 U Street; quite a walk from the closest 42 bus stop, but you can walk from Adams Morgan easily.

Suicide and More Make a Tough Week for Metro

Metro was already pressed this week, instituting a complicated fare increase across all levels of transit services. No one really expected the roll out to go 100% trouble free, but this week was especially challenging and sad.

Metro operated normally Sunday despite a computer glitch. The computers weren't calculating the new fares for paper fare cards correctly. Not too big of a deal and I'm sure most people didn't notice. Plus, who complains about getting a lower fare than advertised?

Later came news of a legal snafu involving a home that WMATA is attempting to sell. OK. They'll eventually solve that issue. Paperwork.

But Monday was a grim day with another apparent suicide. Details are still elusive at this point. But, it appears that a person "intentionally placed themselves on the tracks," in Metro parlance, and died; although not struck by a train. If determined a suicide, it'd be the sixth suicide at a Metro facility in 2010. Just sad. Oddly, this incident occurred nearly a year to the day of another suicide on the Red Line

Based on the media I have consumed, I get the gist that Metro was not blamed for the suicide, but for the response. The most notable were not allowing passengers off of the affected idle train and lack of communication to passengers about wait times as well as train and bus status.

I tend to give a little more leeway to the transit system in this scenario because I'd rather energy be focused on saving a life than anything else. On the other hand, with 10,000+ employees, someone has to be dedicated to offering information to stranded passengers. And leaving some of the passengers on the powerless train: under the circumstances that I understood to be true, it seems like Metro made the wrong decision. I wasn't there and certainly don't have all the inside knowledge.

For an agency with a declining image over the last 18 months, not much else could go wrong. Well... it certainly could, but let's not even think about going there. Let's hope they get it together and can survive the next few years with the rest of us until the economy turns and we get our priorities list back in relative order.