Photos: Union Station

What Kind of Train Rider Are You?

Back in January I profile some of the bus riders who give me pause --and amusement-- in a post "What Kind of Bus Rider Are You?." I mean, I love you guys, everyone who takes public transit. You're doing what you can for the environment, keeping cars off the roads and such. But... there are times which baffle me... make me wonder if the manners we learned as kids were slowly forgotten over the years or all in one fell swoop right before you decided to move to DC.

There are official rules to follow when one rides the Metro rail. These happen to be the folks that don't follow the unofficial ones:

Pole Dancer: Or, more like poll hugger. In some cars there are poles spread throughout, mostly near the doors. They are for the hands of multiple people, who use the poles to steady themselves during the ride. But, this one was built especially for you, and you only.

Joe "Angry Birds" Schmoe: Smartphones, Kindles, Nooks, I get it. I use 'em too. Fun stuff. But if you can't look around and see that there is a truly needy person who would love your accessible seat --a seat marked as such no less-- you need to work on your awareness skills. Just give up your seat if you even think they might need or really want it.

Creep: You and I are two of the 5 freaking people in this entire car. But you parked your sweaty self right next to me, why? There are like 60 empty seats! Let's be honest: all things considered, we'd like to ride alone if possible. Respect my personal space. Spread out! Almost always a dude. Creep at the other end of train buddy.

Escalefter: WMATA coined this term a few years ago. You stand on the left of a moving escalator. The rule is: stand right, walk left. Was and will always be an issue. Mostly because it is an unwritten rule. And yes, escalators are meant to be ridden, not walked on.

United Front: You are almost always a group of tourists, but sometimes coworkers, too. You like to walk 5 abreast. Everywhere. Sidewalks, narrow Metro mezzanines, stairs. Side by side is the only way to go, but it's really hard to get around you, you know.

Decibelle: OK, the Metro doesn't have quiet cars. And it isn't a library. But we're travelling around in this relatively small metal canister. There's nowhere for your loud voice to go. It just bounces around the canister. Inside voice, pls. Anyway, the "listener" is standing right. next. to. you.

Door Blocker: If we have to exit the train single file around you, that's a cue. Step away from the door, or at least just out of it. Common sense was not just a revolutionary pamphlet...

The Crammer: Everyone wants to get home, now. I totally understand. But even though not one more soul can fit on this particular car, you are getting on at any cost, cramming your body in against the others. Even tough there are two trains 2 and 4 minutes behind this one. I watch as the train pulls away, your face flat against the glass of the doors.

Smelly: I never really know which one you are. And there might be more than one of you, but now the car smells like b.o. Thanks. Also, not me.

Breakfast Betty: Coffee and water aside (cos they're essential for life) there really shouldn't be eating or drinking on the Metro. You eat breakfast on the train, usually McDonald's or some variation there of. I've seen pizza, too. Is the no eating rule unnecessary? No, no it isn't eat home people.

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux, Monkey Bars Edition

The 90s are the gift that keeps on giving. And giving and giving and giving.... Have a great weekend!

16th and Irving Streets NW

Could You Give a Tour of Mount Pleasant?

I'm pretty sure I could do it. If it were focused on the broad history of the area and maybe I could throw in some architecture, planning and neat anecdotes. You?

Well try this on for size: Cultural Tourism DC is looking for new tour guides as it expands its renowned set of neighborhood and site tours this fall. New this year: weekday tours! Pretty cool. If you think you have what it takes read the notice below and give it a go. Let me know if you end up conducting a Mount Pleasant tour. Maybe I'll join you!

From Cultural Tourism DC:

"Cultural Tourism DC is seeking tour guides for WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC!

This year Cultural Tourism DC is trying something different for WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC. Instead of offering one spring weekend and one fall weekend of 100-plus free guided tours, we are expanding the event to 10 days in the fall: September 23 – October 2.

Most tours will take place on the two weekends: Saturday & Sunday, September 24 – 25; and Saturday & Sunday, October 1 – 2. But the new format means we also will be able to offer weekday tours, for example during lunchtime and after work, and possibly offer visits to places/buildings that might be closed during the weekend.

If you would like to volunteer as a tour guide, please go to http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/things-do-see/walkingtowndc to download and complete the 2011 WalkingTown DC and BikingTown DC Tour Participation Form, and submit it to HGineris@CulturalTourismDC.org by Tuesday, June 28.

If you have any questions about completing the form or about the event, or if you prefer a form in Word format, please contact Helen Gineris at 202-626-1148 orHGineris@CulturalTourismDC.org."

Fort Reno Returns Monday

The return of shows at DC's Fort Reno means that summer is officially here. Simply known as "Fort Reno" --after the park that it inhabits-- the music series brings local well-known and not-so-well-known musical acts to Tenleytown on a weekly basis for several weeks each summer. 

This year there are 11 shows over six consecutive weeks. No show on July 4, but otherwise there's a show scheduled for each Monday and Thursday. The shows are FREE, although you can help by supporting Fort Reno financially. 

Fort Reno is located just across the street from the (under renovation) Wilson Senior High School. The bands play on the grass near Chesapeake St NW between Nebraska Ave and 40th. The full schedule is here and the season kicks off on the 27th with Beasts of No Nation, Railsplittter and Valley Tours. I like their names, but I haven't seen any of those bands. This is the beauty of the series. Each show has at least one new-to-me band and the bookings are often cross genre, which I appreciate as a music fan.  

Enjoy the shows!

Coffee/Riot: Flying Fish Fits In

Coffee shops, cafes, whatever you prefer to call them, DC has its fair share of spots that serve up the caffeinated, addictive beverage in some form or another. Some are bakeries, others more restaurant, and others are just straight up coffee shops. I've taken on task of chronicling some of my favorite coffee spots in the city, on a quest to show what's unique and cool about them. If you have suggestions, please submit.  Previous posts: Sticky Fingers, Baked & Wired, Dos Gringos, M.E. Swing, Grape &Bean, Crumbs & Coffee, Open City,Tryst, Ebenezers Coffeehouse, Bourbon Coffee, Chinatown Coffee Company, Tynan Coffee and Tea + Mid City Caffe.

When Flying Fish Coffee & Tea opened at the southern end of Mount Pleasant Street, I initially felt that they'd have a pretty good shot (no pun intended) at becoming a neighborhood mainstay. It is early yet, but I think I'm going to go ahead and assume I was right.

The little shop at 3064 Mount Pleasant Street NW won me over from the beginning. There are a number of traits that make a great coffee shop in my eyes. I have to say that having product and service quality is number one for me. More so than aesthetics, more so than location; the product has to be good-to-great to keep me coming back on a consistent basis. This is why I will travel to Dupont, Georgetown, or Capitol Hill for good coffee. 

Flying Fish makes a good cup. From the carefully chosen pour overs or a quick cup of drip coffee to-go, the product has always been above average in my experience. On the foodie side, I love that in addition to the bagel-etc fare, they also inlude multiple vegan selections from Chez Hareg Bakery. Palmier anyone! Goodness.

Yes, aesthetics do count. The shop reminds me of an old Richmond haunt of mine, World Cup Coffee. Now, World Cup was full of weirdos, remained open into the wee hours of the morning and everyone smoked cigarettes, but all that aside, the feel is the same. Art on the walls, a few window seats, small tables mixed in with communal and friendly staff + regulars. No surly meanies behind the counter (although they have their own sort of appeal).

And Flying Fish fits in in with Mount Pleasant: not too flashy, doesn't needlessly refer to its products as 'luxury' and the vibe is comfortable, not stressful. The lighting is low (a plus) and if there is music pumped through the place, I haven't noticed. There is wireless access, which a lot of you love. So, go bananas. I haven't been enough to meet any regulars, but I've been going consistently going as part of my Saturday Farmers Market trips. So that's good. Maybe see you there sometime.

Anyway, yes, so far so good for Flying Fish Coffee & Tea. They are making Mount Pleasant a little more interesting and a lot more caffeinated. Cheers.

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

Happy Friday! This song became a karaoke hit in later years... for me anyway. Lit's My Own Worst Enemy. Enjoy the weekend folks.

Major Police Action Ends in Death, Closes Mt P Street

Police vehicles on a closed Mt Pleasant Street NW

Most of yesterday afternoon saw dozens of MPD and special police force officers in Mount Pleasant in what has been described as a barricade situation. Details are surprisingly elusive, even in the Post and Times stories about the incident. But, both articles indicate that a man with mental health issues was involved in one or more altercations with police officers during an hours-long attempt to either coax him out of or forcibly remove him from an apartment on Irving Street NW. Again, all the details of the last altercation aren't crystal clear, but the man apparently fought with and was shot by police, transported to the hospital and was later pronounced dead. He was 55.

All of this happened at a very busy corner in the neighborhood and residents and business owners were posting photos and tweeting updates of what they were seeing in real time. Nearby businesses were closed (to foot traffic) briefly and people were kept off of the streets around the intersection of Mount P and Irving NW for hours, into the evening. The police response was massive. I definitely have questions about the  nature of police response for one man who may have been in his own apartment, alone. And several accounts of sharp shooters and the presence of a SWAT team give me major pause as well. Looking forward to the official report when it is released and other accounts, if there are any. Very sad that at the end of the day a man was killed who shouldn't have been in this scenario.

Poll: What Should Fill the Fill Old Blockbuster Space?

The Adams Morgan Blockbuster location closed late last year. The retail space at 1805 Columbia Rd is in a prime spot: just a block from busy 18th Street, on multiple bus lines and walkable from the Woodley Park Metro station. It is located in the first floor of the photo pictured above.

What would you like to see there?

poll by twiigs.com

Friday Fun Post: Jawbreaking Mountain Goats

Wow. This is amazing! Two of my favorite bands are Jawbreaker and The Mountain Goats. Different genres, different fan bases, different eras but somehow this works. The Mountain Goats cover a Jawbreaker classic, Boxcar. Consider this a warm up for tomorrow's Mount Pleasant Music Fest, Have a great weekend!

(A Little More Than) Four Short Months Ago...

UPDATE: er.... this is a photo from snOMG 2010, not 2011. whoops!

Mount Pleasant Music Fest is Saturday

Previewed this a few weeks ago, but wanted to get the word out again. The 2011 version of the Mount Pleasant Music Festival is happening this Saturday June 11. If we get a repeat of last week's weather, all the better. Organizers Mount Pleasant Main Street released more details and here they are:

"WHEN: June 11th 2:30-7:30. Rain day = Sunday June 12th.

WHERE: Lamont Park 

FEATURED LOCAL BANDS:

- Midnight Hike

- Oxymorons

- Redline Addiction

- The Jones

- Nunchucks

ALSO FEATURED:

- Girl Band

- René Moffatt

- DJ WANAKO, DJ A-FRAME

- Rock Art by Cherif

MORE: There will be food and activities for kids making this a family friendly event showcasing some of D.C.'s finest musicians who help make Mount Pleasant a fantastic neighborhood. Please come out to the park to support and enjoy local musical and artistic talent and then shop on Mount Pleasant Street.

CO-SPONSORS: Mount Pleasant Main Street & Mount Pleasant Business Association"

Just FYI, Lamont Park is at the corner of Lamont and Mt Pleasant Streets NW, less than 5 blocks from the Columbia Height Metro station. You can also take the H4, H8 and 42 buses directly to Lamont Park. The H2, S buses and Circulator get you within a stones throw. I thought I was going to miss this, but I will now be there. Awesome!

Friday Fun Post: 90s Redux

One of my all time favorite bands. Just happened to be from the 90s (and 80s). From the best album ever produced --Dear You-- this is "Fireman" by Jawbreaker. Have a great weekend.

Urban Decay

3145 Mount Pleasant Street NW

3145 Mount Pleasant Street NW. The building formerly known as the Deauville, --or the Winston-- burned down in the early morning hours of March 13, 2008. The structure and residents have gone through a few twists and turns since, but there has been little to no movement at the site in terms of rebuilding. Looking forward to bringing this space back on-line with affordable units for Mount Pleasant, including for those who lived in the original building!