Lamont Park

Mount Pleasant Holiday Party!

Get ready for another busy holiday season in the city! The Mount Pleasant Holiday Party helps kick it all off. It's on December 6th at Lamont Park. The party is from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. All the details are in the flier below. However, please note that this also the same day as the Holiday Tree Sale at Bancroft Elementary School, just a few blocks away (1755 Newton St NW). 

Return of Movies in Lamont Park

Mount Pleasant Main Street has organized more movies in Lamont Park for this Fall. The three-movie series begins next week and will be held at Lamont Park at the corner of Lamont Street and Mount Pleasant Street NW. 

The dates and movies from the organizers:

"Friday September 19th: Dead Poets Society (PG, tribute to Robin Williams)
Friday October 3rd: Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings (PG) [TENTATIVE]
Friday October 10th: Zoolander (PG) [TENTATIVE]

7:30-10:00. Free. Rain Date: Sundays

Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks

Support your local businesses and main street

Volunteers needed - email achoey@gmail.com

Donations needed - www.mtpmainstreet.org (hit donate button) or at event"

Check the MPMS Facebook page for updates on the tentative movie dates. (No offense HP fans, but I'd rather see LOTR.) Have a great weekend!

OK, so this is totally a photo from the Mount Pleasant Music Festival, not movie night. Imagine movies.

Festival in Lamont Park + Celebrating Radio CPR

I've been a huge fan of Radio CPR --Community Powered Radio-- since moving to Mount Pleasant over 10 years ago. They play the music (and other shows) I want to hear; in an area where corporate over-the-air radio is untenable and college radio mostly unavailable. Want to hear them? It's 97.5 on the FM radio dial. For a blast from the (recent) past, there's also a CD of local musicians featured on CPR available from Dischord Records.

Radio CPR is celebrating 15 years (!) by hosting a Día de los Muertos festival this Saturday, November 2, at Lamont Park. This is happening post-farmers' market; from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Sounds awesome!

From the organizers:

Join Radio CPR for a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival in Lamont Park, Mt. Pleasant. Festivities include music, poetry, performances, beat-making workshop and arts and crafts.

Don't miss the Kick-Off Procession at 3:45 pm lead by Paso Nuevo, GALA Hispanic Theatre's youth group, and a bilingual theater performances & poetry by Quique Aviles and Alina Collins.

Live Music Performances By:
- Anexo Social
- Rumisonko
- Lilo Gonzales
- Luci Murphy
- Franko Jazz

AND Resident Radio CPR DJs
DJ Maestra
DJ Mezkla
DJ Wanako

Celebrate 15 years of Community Powered Radio with Radio CPR and friends, empowering the whole neighborhood to find its creative side. As we move into the future, we remember the past and the spirits of those who have come before us. Put on your dancing shoes and recycle that Halloween costume for a spectacular extravaganza!

Return of Movies in Lamont Park

Get ready for more outdoor movies! Movie Nights in Lamont Park returns courtesy of our friends at Mount Pleasant Main Street. The series picks up next Friday September 6th. The movies nights will run from 7:15 PM until about 9:30 PM. Lamont Park is located at the corner of Mount Pleasant and Lamont Sts NW. The line up:

September 6: Raiders of the Lost Ark - You've probably seen this 1,000 times but it never gets old. It's the classic Harrison Ford flick set in the 1930s. Ford plays Indiana Jones who finds himself in a race against time and anthropological puzzles to find the Ark of the Covenant. And oh yeah, he has to fend off the Nazis. Naturally, they intend to use the Ark for world domination. Adventure, comedy, action, melting Nazi heads. Perfect summer flick. And Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, swoon.

September 20: Bend it Like Beckham - For some reason, this movie only played for a few weeks at the art house theater in my hometown. It deserved a much wider distribution, IMO. The plot might appear to be classic love triangle story between characters played by Parminder Nagra, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Keira Knightley. But, the real story is about the love triangle between the main character Jes, the sport of soccer, and the love she has for her family. Jes has to navigate the cultural norms that get in the way of her ambitions and ends up confronting racial and gender stereotypes along the way. Really, really, great movie. It's one of the few I have on DVD and makes for a great Sunday afternoon feel good flick.

October 4: Best in Show - Oh LAWD. That's all I have to say about this movie. This is the perfect movie because 1) There are so many ridiculous one-liners like, "We met at Starbucks," 2) PARKER POSEY, and 3) Whatever Christopher Guest touches is gold. I'm dying just thinking about Best in Show right now. I'm not even watching it... I'm just thinking about it. And dying. It's that funny. Plus, PARKER POSEY. Let's be honest, here's no excuse to miss this showing. Be there.

Holiday Celebration in Lamont Park This Saturday

This Saturday will be one of the busiest and funnest of the year in Mount Pleasant. In addition to the Cheap Art Sale at La Casa, Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market and Amani's Open House, the Mount Pleasant Business Association is hosting the Holiday Celebration in Lamont Park. From 1:00PM until 3:00PM, see Santa and Ms. Klaus, watch a puppet show, make a craft (or two) and more.

Of course Lamont Park is located at the corner and Lamont and Mount Pleasant Streets NW. This is the same space that hold the farmers' market.

This event is a collaboration of our great businesses in Mount Pleasant (MPBA) and the organizers that worked so hard to present Make It Mount Pleasant earlier this year. If that event was any indication, don't miss out this Saturday, should be very cool. Bring family, friends, or just yourself.

If you're on Facebook, check out more and RSVP to the event page. And see you there!

Santa and the Three Kings checking out Mount Pleasant (photo by Rick Reinhard)

Tonight! Movies in Lamont Park: The Princess Bride

Did you know Cary Elwes turns 50 next month? And The Princess Bride has been around for 25 years now. Bananas. In high school, a very, very good friend and I had a secret club (yep, secret high school clubs). Anyway, one of the inside jokes we had was based on this movie. We'd say "My name is Chiquita Banana. You killed my father. Prepare to die." What does i mean? I have no idea to this day. But it made me laugh and it made me love this movie even more.

The showing is rain or shine (doesn't look like rain, and it should be getting dark by then). The show starts at 7:15PM at Lamont Park. Lamont Park is at the corner of Lamont and Mount Pleasant Sts NW. Just before The Princess Bride, the organizers (Mount Pleasant Main Street) will show a short film, Into the Lime Lite. I saw this documentary last month and it was was pretty great. Enjoy it; a nice DC story.

Enjoy the movies, enjoy the weekend!

Outdoor Movies Return to Lamont Park

Want.

Mount Pleasant Mainstreet is organizing an outdoor movie series in our very own Lamont Park. The scheduled dates are Friday September 21 and Friday September 28. Movies begin at 7:15PM. The theme is 80s cult classics (PG rated, of course)! Yessssss. I love the 80s: best music, best clothing, best attitude and yes, best flicks. 

MPMS is asking you to vote on which two films which will be shown. You can view the options and vote here. As of late last night Back to the Future was in 4th place. 4th? Come on now. Future Marty. FUTURE. MARTY. Get into it. That is all.

Food Truck Thursday Returns to Mount Pleasant

Last month hundreds of Mount Pleasant residents came out on a lovely Thursday to chow down on some post-workday eats from four food trucks. The night was a success, (maybe too much!) with healthy lines and some food shortages, but leaving no doubt that an evening food truck visit to Mount Pleasant can work. 

The trucks will be back this Thursday --June 21-- at the same location, Lamont Park. This time there will be five trucks: Pleasant Pops, Fojol Bros, PORC, Tasty Kabob, and one of my personal favorites, Takorean. The trucks will be available from 5:30PM-8:30PM. Thanks once again to the organizers. You can RSVP to the Facebook page if you wish. See you there!

Return of the Mt Pleasant Farmers' Market

Happy Friday! And Happy early Saturday. Get ready for summer and the Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market. The first market of the season is tomorrow from 9:00AM-1:00PM.... and each Saturday until November 17, 2012.

(You know, I almost wrote "Return of the Mack" for the title of this post. But, I caught myself. Anywaaaaay....)

This week look for bagels (Atwater's), strawberries, apples, mushrooms, homemade ginger ale (People's Bao) and asparagus. Bikers; bring your bikes, the Bike Clinic will be open, too.

If it's your first time, come to Lamont Park, 3200 Mount Pleasant St NW. About 5 blocks from Columbia Heights Metro station and accessible via the 42, S, H and Circulator buses. See you there!

And since I was thinking about it, Return of the Mack! Have a great weekend.

Farmers' and Flea Markets Make for a Swell Weekend

Late fall scene at Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market

Finally...... the farmers' market..... has come back..... TO MOUNT PLEASANT! Yes, tomorrow is the first day of the best farmers market in the city, the Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market. Happens every Saturday morning, now until November 19. I can't wait. I still remember the last items I bought in 2010: a  few pink lady apples and a quart of apple cider. 

What will I get tomorrow? Who knows, just want to be there thinking about the start to real spring in DC, a beautiful time of year. The Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market is tomorrow May 7, from 9:00AM until 1:00PM. The location is Lamont Park at the corner of Lamont and Mount Pleasant Sts NW. See you...

*     *     *

Also tomorrow, just 4 blocks from the Farmers' Market, is the Positive Force Punk Rock Flea Market and Skill Share. That's a mouth full, but basically, it's like it sounds: a market made of DIY vendors and talented folks willing to share their knowledge and skillz with you (word is Warm and Fuzzies will be there!). Afterwards, a show with three DC bands: Deleted Scenes, Foul Swoops and America Hearts (I believe from Mt P?). The flea and skill share start at 12:30PM and the music starts at 2:00PM. The location is St. Stephens Church at 1525 Newton St NW (at 16th). That's two awesome events on one day. Have a great weekend!

Capital Bikeshare Now in Mount Pleasant

Shame on me!  I was super skeptical last weekend when told that Capital Bikeshare would be ready for its September 20 launch.  1,000
bikes? 100 stations? No way!

Yes way!

And it's already here in Mount Pleasant. The new Capital Bikeshare station has been installed and is in service (sans bikes) right in our very own Lamont Park. The station is solar powered, the card reader is operational, signage is up and the automated bike dispensers are in place. Just awaiting the bikes!

One question I had was answered by visiting the station. I knew that a one-day membership was $5, but I wondered what CaBi (their abbreviation!) would do to insure riders returned the bike. Well, similar to a common car rental practice, CaBi will place a $101 hold on your credit card for a 24 hour membership until the 24 hour period is over.  Of course if you register for a longer term (30 days or 1 year), that won't be the case.  Your card will already be registered.  You'll get the bike for no cost for 30 minutes, then pay more depending on how long you keep the bike before docking it back in a station. According to Capital Bikeshare, they've signed up close to 1,000 members already.  They have an introductory offer of $50 for one year, down from the regular fee of $75.  Pretty cool.  Some photos:

Ride the Divide: Mount Pleasant Movies in the Park

From Mount Pleasant Main Street:

On Saturday, Aug. 7, the Mount Pleasant Main Street Association (together with the Mount Pleasant Business Association and CricKet Wireless) will be showing the documentary film "Ride the Divide," an account of the world's toughest solo mountain bike race along 2,700 miles of the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. 

The film tells the story of three characters' experiences as they endure mental breakdowns, treacherous weather, hellacious blisters and total fatigue while they attempt to pedal from Banff, Canada, to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border. The filmmaker intertwines cycling footage with immense mountain beauty and snippets of small-town culture. 

This is the premier public showing of the film in the District of Columbia.

The event is an opportunity to celebrate Mt P's vibrant bike culture as well as support its local businesses. Local cycling groups will host bike clinics and other educational activities.  A suggested donation of $5-$10 will support the local charity Neighbors Consejo.

Movies begin at dusk in Lamont Park (Mount Pleasant St. NW and Lamont St. NW).  Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and meals purchased from local vendors and restaurants.

Thank you for your consideration.  For more information, email info@mtpmainstreet.org.

"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.

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

Photos: Mount Pleasant Music Festival

Wow, what a great day! After last Saturday's first farmers' market of the year, we were treated to a fab day of music and general merriment. The Mount Pleasant Music Festival was a success from where I stand; the music was A+ and the crowd was as well. Lamont Park was activated with people from 9am until 7pm. Picked up some apples, cider and bread from the Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market and planned to meet a few friends in the same spot later on during the day for the Festival.

Glad we did. Mount Pleasant Main Street pulled off quite the event and I hope there is another at some point. Even the traveling band, Royal Forest (Austin), was great. The music went on pretty much non stop and Radio CPR's DJ Wanako spun tunes in between sets. The sound was perfect and so was the crowd.

Little kids danced to the beats and the adults sat on blankets, stood behind the stage, or leaned on fences while politely cheering after each song. I'm guessing maybe half the crowd was actually from Mount P, which is great, because that means the Fest was good enough and promoted enough to become a destination. Over the course of the Fest, there must have been a couple of hundred observers? I don't know, I'm terrible at guessing crowd sizes. At any one point, there were about 60-70 people watching any given band, with the larger crowds gathering towards the end of the Festival. Deleted Scenes capped it all with a spirited set, preceded by the Four Horseman who were quite the crowd pleaser as well. Well done all around folks, well done.

Mount Pleasant Main Street Wins DDOT Grant

Nearly a quarter of a million dollars is coming to the neighborhood for streetscape improvements in Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant Main Street has secured $240,000 from DDOT in the form of a Transportation Enhancement Grant. DDOT had about $2.0 million total dollars to distribute.

The award will be used for several aesthetic and safety improvements including: improved lighting in Lamont Park (and on Mt P Street in general), new park landscaping and seating in the park, and bicycle and pedestrian safety features on Mount Pleasant Street. The time line and details of the proposed changes still have to be determined. MPMS will work with the ANC early next year to gauge public input and start the process now that the monies are secure. Read the full press release here.

Mount Pleasant Movie in the Park and Sidewalk Sale

Mount Pleasant Movies in the Park returns this Saturday. Mount Pleasant Main Street will screen the recent indie flick King Corn. It's a documentary about two fellows who literally grow a plot of corn and track the plant's journey through food-dom right up until human consumption.

Can a film about one of the most ubiquitous American plant foods be interesting? Most of my friends say so. And I'm inclined to agree. The film touches on other issues like the federal farm bill, genetically modified foods, nutrition and agribusiness. As they say, you'll never think of corn the same again.

But that's not all! Also happening before the movie starts: live music in the park and an urban gardening demo by the Neighborhood Farm Initiative. Businesses along Mount Pleasant Street will also hold sidewalk sales throughout the day on Saturday.

Where: Lamont Park (Lamont and Mount Pleasant Sts NW)
When: This Saturday September 26th. 6:00pm.
Who: Presented by Mount Pleasant Main Street

Don Juan Debuts Outdoor Seating

This was the first time I've seen Don Juan Restaurant offer outdoor seating. The restaurant is located across from Lamont Part at 1660 Lamont St NW. They had sidewalk seating (about 20 chairs) on Saturday and Sunday. Not sure if this a weekend thing, or it will happen every night they're open. Time will tell. I totally support more outdoor/sidewalk seating in this neighborhood. The problem is that most of the restaurants are on Mount Pleasant Street and the sidewalks aren't really that wide. But Lamont Street sidewalk is particularly wide in front of Don Juan so I say go bananas.

Yesterday there was a mini-festival which was not on my calender for some reason. The Latino Association of Mount Pleasant had speakers, music and some food across the street from Don Juan. I stuck around as long as I could and heard some danceable music, a few speeches and a long line for the one operating grill. If you have other details of the event, please elaborate.

Enjoy Labor Day.