HomeSaver Program to Offer Free Clinics in January

There is, obviously, never a good time to lose one's job or home. But in this economy, in this city, getting back on your feet after a foreclosure seems unbearably daunting. However, there are programs like HomeSaver which can help mitigate some of the angst over getting laid off and possibly falling behind. This program is affiliated with the government of the District of Columbia. They are offering free clinics for those who want to know more about avoiding foreclosure. From the organizers:

"The District of Columbia government, through the HomeSaver Program, now offers forgivable loans to homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgages because of unemployment. If you own a home in DC, are receiving or have received unemployment benefits at any time during the last 6 months, and are behind on your mortgage because you were laid off, you may be eligible for a loan to help bring your mortgage current. Call (202) 667-7006 or attend a FREE foreclosure clinic to find out more about this program and other realistic options for avoiding foreclosure.

When:
Wednesday, January 4—12:00 P.M.
Wednesday, January 11—12:00 P.M.
Wednesday, January 18—12:00 P.M.
Wednesday, January 25—6:00 P.M.

Where:
Housing Counseling Services
2410 17th Street NW
Suite #100"

Happy Holidaze

Happy Eid, Christmas, Diwawli, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or whatever you celebrate. And happy winter and New Year's, too. Cheers for the days getting a bit longer on the march to next summer. Yes, I'm trying to think positive. Light posting until the new year. (P.S. Please pass along cool NYE events. I'm still looking for something cool to do: @the42busdc.)

Ottomania Returns to Zeba Bar

Ottomanina --Balkan themed dance party-- is returning to Zeba Bar on Saturday night, this time with a Bhangra twist.  Take advantage of our great late fall fairly mild weather and get out to this party! Have a great weekend!

From the organizers:

OTTOMANIA:

A Transglobal Balkanic danceparty eruption.

Special Balkan meets Bhangra edition.

Balkan Brass//Gypsy Punk//Bhangra Funk//TurboFolk//TurboRagga//Bolly Surf// Balkan Dub & Club//Urban Desi//TamilTablaRock Ottomania:: 

++A bouncy mezze of underground dance music from & influenced by Balkan countries from Bosnia to Greece and don't forget Turkey.

This time with a stop through the Punjab

Brought to you by DJs:

BEATrix

Inda Nile/ dj trash

vANNIEty Kills

and special guest

dj meat hook

Saturday December 17th

Zeba Bar (Babushka's fave new neighborhood spot) 

2 charming levels- 3 bars--Gorgeous Balkan back patio--delicious dancefloor

3423 14th Street NW (Newton and 14th St) //Columbia Heights metro

10pm-3am // +Super Free+

Holiday Market in Penn Quarter Though Dec 23

If you've walked F Street NW in front of the National Portrait Gallery lately, you've probably smelled the sweetness of the Churros! booth, welcoming you to the the Downtown Holiday Market. This is the seventh year of the event, partially produced by the Downtown BID. The market features a rotating cadre of artisans and craftpersons, offering everything from food to fedoras. Well, hats anyway. I didn't actually see any fedoras. But there were lots of hats. 

The market is outside, on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets. The last day is December 23, the final Friday before Christmas. The hours are 12:00PM-8:00PM daily. I've been walking over during the lunch hour to check out the varied musical acts. Musicians (Americana, jazz, blues, folk) typically play daily at noon, then again at 5:00PM. A rotating vendor schedule keeps it fresh week by week. For more information on which vendors are selling and musicians playing at this very moment, see the market website. 

FYI -- the Capital Bikeshare station usually located at the northwest corner of 7th and F has been temporarily moved to the southeast corner of 8th and F to accommodate the market and will return at it end. 

Mount Pleasant, Night Scene

Trees Will Return to Adams Morgan's 18th Street

Among the causalities of the massive streetscape project in Adams Morgan are trees. The busy thoroughfare of 18th St NW between Florida and Columbia has lost many of the trees which lined it before the project. The good news: they will be replaced! Along with new bike racks, bike sharrows, bulb outs, ADA compliant ramps, more crosswalks, parallel parking and a lot more; Adams Morgan will get new shading trees on its expanded sidewalks.

Above: a recent photo I took near Ventnor Sports. Below: same strip before the tree removal. The entire project, which is quite ambitious --and needed-- will take 15 months, wrapping up late-summer of 2012. Good work DDOT!

Google Street View

Friday Fun Post: A Brit Shuffle

I love this! A little danceable hit from England's Bombay Bicycle Club. From this year's A Different Kind of Fix, here's "Shuffle." Have a great weekend.

Nail Spa Gets Choice Spot in Adams Morgan

Nails, nails, nails

Enchanted Nail and Spa has erected permanent signage at 2324 18th St NW in Adams Morgan. This space was most recently Maggie Moo's, which closed well over a year ago. Earlier this year, signage inside the windows here advertised for a UPS Store franchise location, but that's apparently not happening. Lots of visibility at this corner, 18th and Belmont. Sweet Themez bakery is next door and Wok and Roll is just across Belmont.

As the name indicates, Enchanted looks to offer nail and light spa services. Posted signs announcing its arrival indicate that they will offer mani & pedi, something called a shellac gel polish, a bunch of other services using the word "gel" in the description, full body waxing, hot stone foot massage, facials and more. Best of luck Enchanted Nail and Spa.

Cheap Art Sale + Amani Open House This Weekend

The Cheap Art Sale returns to Mount Pleasant for 2011, this Saturday December 10, 1:00PM-5:00PM. The location is La Casa, 3166 Mount Pleasant St NW. Cheap means everything is under $50 and once again, there is a great list of local artists and a great cause behind this benefit. At least half of all artist proceeds will go to the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL). Cheap Art Sale raised nearly $1,000 for Neighbors Consejo two years ago, so shopping at this event does make a difference. From the organizers:

"On Saturday, December 10th, the fourth annual Cheap Art Sale will host artists from across the city who will show and sell original works of art, and donate half or more of all the proceeds to the nonprofit Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL). All art will be priced at $50 or less. The Cheap Art Sale is an opportunity for shoppers to purchase unique holiday gifts and one-of-a-kind items. 

Participating artists include Tom Legro, Mike Ferguson, Alexandra Silverthorne, Pat Padua, Arelle Rodriguez, Sha Grogan-Brown, Phyllis Dillinger,Tory Pedonti, Anthem Press, and Sera Baghdadi and others. Grassroots Gourmet will also be selling their delicious progressive baked goods. Artwork sold will include paintings, jewelry, screen printed goods, lots of photography and more.

SMYAL is the only Washington, DC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Founded in 1984, SMYAL's mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTQ youth ages 13-21 as they journey from adolescence into adulthood.

To find out more about SMYAL, check out their website at: http://www.smyal.org/index.php"

*     *     *

Also this weekend, an open house event for Amani Ya Juu, the small storefront in La Casa which is actually a retail space for a work-training project for women, centered in Nairobi, Kenya. The open house is Friday evening and all day Saturday. Stop by to learn more about Amani and shop; they're offering discounts on both days. From Amani: (and please stop by this space, they do amazing work)

"Amani ya Juu (Swahili for “higher peace”), the holistic sewing and training program for marginalized women in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, & Liberia, will be holding their Holiday Open House, on Friday, December 9 from 4:00 to 8:00 and Saturday, December 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Amani’s high-quality handbags, home & kitchen décor, jewelry, and children’s items are made out of local African materials by a diverse community of women working together in peace. The sale of products enables each woman to gain valuable skills and earn a consistent income. Their Holiday Open House will feature one-day specials, festive treats, and authentic East African chai. During the event, buy 3 full-priced ornaments and get one ornament for free. Tablecloths and place mats will be 20% off and large bags will be 15% off.

To learn more about Amani Ya Juu, check out their website at: www.amanidc.org"

Friday Fun Post: Drums

A nice dance-tastic tune to start your weekend. The Drums with "I Felt Stupid" off of, ironically, the Summertime! EP. Have a great weekend.

Africa is Not a Country Presents: Nettle, at Marrakech Lounge

Our friends over at Africa is Not a Country are hosting their second happy hour this Friday. In addition to resident CH-Mt P DJs Mothershiester and Bent, they've invited special guest Nettle.

It's this Friday evening at new Adams Morgan spot Marrakech Lounge. From the organizers:

The 2nd Happy Hour installment of Africa is Not a Country features a special performance by Nettle. This long distance, inter-continental project blends electronic beats, North African folksongs and percussion with avant garde noise.

We'll be celebrating the release of group's new record -- El Resplandor: The Shining in Dubai. "For this album, Nettle imagined a remake of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining set in a luxury hotel in Dubai, U.A.E. El Resplandor: The Shining In Dubai is their soundtrack for that nonexistent film."

"Nettle's work foregrounds issues of friction, translation, and displacement as necessary counter-narratives to the standard paradigms of 'cross-cultural exchange' and metaphors of mixing or hybridity."

DJ sets by DC's own bent and mothershiester through the night will feature Rock, Ska, and Punk anthems from Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. Jazz arrangements from Madagascar and Ghana. Soukous jams and Chaabi gems. Plus a glut of Kenyan Pop tracks.

FREE!
Time: Nettle plays at 9pm!
Copies of El Resplandor: The Shining in Dubai will be for sale

Drink specials: $3 beers, $5 wine & rail drinks, delicious $5 appetizers
Plus: hooka/sheesha for enjoyment on the veranda
At: this brand new North African spot – Marrakech Lounge.

Africa is Not a Country is an anti-colonial musical journey, using the dancefloor/barstool to deconstruct the idea of “African music” as we rock out from Jo-burg to Cairo, from Dakar to Nairobi, with a quick lap around the islands.